Declan Donnelly, Ali Astall and children - family facts
Bio and birth dates for I'm A Celeb presenter Dec Donnelly, his manager and wife Ali Astall, and their daughter Isla
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Dec and Ali’s vital stats:
Declan Joseph Oliver Donnelly OBE, born 25 September 1975
Ali Astall, born 1978
Dec and Ali’s child:
Isla Elizabeth Anne Donnelly, born 1 September 2018
How did Dec first meet Ali?
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Ali, originally from Newcastle in Australia, began working at James Grant Management in London in 2003.
There, she became Geordie presenting duo Ant & Dec’s talent manager - while also looking after the careers of other ITV stars, including Anthea Turner and This Morning presenter Philip Schofield.
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As a result, Dec and Ali met through work and became close friends over a decade of working together - before their relationship evolved into something more romantic ?
They became a couple roughly around November 2013. At least, that’s when the public caught wind, anyway!
They’d been getting closer before, of course, with Dec admitting in 2014: “When she was single and I was single we’d go out for dinner on Valentine’s night together because we didn’t have partners. This year, we went out as a couple.”
Dec and Ali’s engagement
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On 12 November 2014, Ali and Dec delightedly announced their engagement, after dating for a year.
Dec said of their union at the time: “I think we’ve always been attracted to each other but it has always been that thing of we work together.
“This is the first time we’ve given it a try. We always hung out.”
Dec and Ali’s wedding
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On 1 August 2015, Dec married Ali in his hometown of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in front of 200 guests.
Ali and Dec’s bestie Ant McPartlin was one of many stars to watch them tie the knot at St Michael’s Church in Elswick.
He shared a few snaps of his wedding day on social media, including the gorgeous black and white shot above ?
On his wedding anniversary, he also thanks fans for their kind wishes, writing on his 1st:
"Thank you for all the lovely #anniversary messages, the wife and I are very touched and grateful. Can't believe this is a year ago already. It was the best day ever! ❤️ #love #wedding"
And on his 2nd: "Thank you for all the lovely anniversary messages for me and Mrs D, we really appreciate them. We can't believe this was 2 years ago today. Such happy memories. Big ❤️. D #happy #wedding #anniversary #love"
Awwwww!
Ali’s 1st pregnancy
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On 24 March 2018, Dec and Ali’s pregnancy was revealed to the public – but the news was leaked before they felt ready to share.
The day after, Dec tweeted: “Just wanted to say thank you for all the lovely messages.
“The news has sneaked out a little earlier than we had hoped but Ali and I are delighted to be expecting our first child. Thanks for all the love, we really appreciate it ❤️D x"
Ali would’ve been around the 12-week mark when the news broke, if not a little before: if Ali gave birth on her due date, she would’ve been around 11 weeks along.
At the 2018 BAFTAs, Ali showcased her growing bump in a gorgeous silver gown.
Isla Elizabeth Anne
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On 1 September 2018, Dec took to Twitter to share the joyful news that Ali had safely given birth to a baby girl.
“Ali and I are thrilled to announce the arrival of our baby girl, Isla Elizabeth Anne, who was born just after 9 o’clock this morning,” he announced proudly.
“Mother and daughter both doing well, Dad is head over heels! D x”
He tweeted the news alongside an adorable snap of Isla’s tiny finger. We’re total suckers for cute baby hand pics ✋
Fun fact: Isla’s name has a double meaning – and her middle names have very special (and personal) meanings to the couple, too.
Dad Dec’s not the only one totally in love with the new arrival – Uncle Ant is already besotted, too.
Ant followed up Dec’s tweet on their joint Twitter account with a gushing message, writing: "Welcome to the world baby Isla Elizabeth Anne. ❤️ Can’t wait for cuddles. I love you already!! Uncle Ant xxxxx”
Big congrats to the happy family from all of us here at MFM HQ ?
Dec on I’m A Celeb 2018
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New dad Dec will have a 2-month-old by time he heads Down Under once again for the new series of I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here.
The show usually starts in November, so we expect it’ll air for a few weeks from November 2018.
As presenting partner Ant is taking time off from TV until 2019, it’s been revealed that mum-of-3 Holly Willoughby will be joining him.
She’s bringing her brood of school-aged children to Australia with her for the prestigious hosting job (yes, taking them out of school) – so, we wonder if Ali and baby Isla will be flying to Australia to join Dec, too.
Only time will tell - Ali may well be on mat leave, but Australia's also her home country. That said, a 20 hour + flight time with a newborn in tow is no easy task!
Images: Bump pic via Getty Images, Twitter and Instagram/Dec Donnelly
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