Declan Donnelly: Wife, Children, Health & Net Worth

We all know Declan Donnelly as one half of the nation’s favourite presenting duo, Ant & Dec. But behind the smile and the telly magic, there’s a dad of two who’s been quietly navigating fatherhood, marriage, and his own mental health. Here’s what the verified facts actually tell us about his personal life, health, and family.

Full name: Declan Joseph Oliver Donnelly ·
Date of birth: 25 September 1975 ·
Age: 49 (as of 2025) ·
Occupation: Television presenter, producer, comedian, former singer, rapper, actor ·
Known for: Ant & Dec duo, I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! ·
Marriages: 2 (Ali Astall 2015–present; previous marriage not publicly detailed)

The pattern here is clear: Donnelly’s public life is well-documented, but his private sphere—especially his first marriage and health—remains deliberately protected.

What illness does Declan Donnelly have?

Donnelly’s health status

• Donnelly has not publicly disclosed any specific illness. In a 2026 interview with the Mirror, he said he experiences a low-level, constant anxiety about needing to be doing something and that he started therapy around five or six years earlier.
• He told The Independent that he often finds it difficult to switch off and sit down without feeling he should be working.

Ant McPartlin’s health disclosures

• Ant McPartlin has publicly stated that he received a life-changing ADHD diagnosis, though no direct quote from him is available in the sources used for this article. The claim is widely reported, but no official medical confirmation has been published.

The implication: Donnelly’s openness about anxiety suggests he is willing to discuss mental health, but he has drawn a clear line around any formal diagnosis. For fans, the takeaway is that his health remains a private matter unless he chooses to share.

How many children has Declan Donnelly got?

Donnelly’s children with Ali Astall

• Donnelly has two children with his wife Ali Astall. Their first child, a daughter named Isla Elizabeth Anne, was born on 1 September 2018 (MadeForMums).
• Their second child, a son named Jack Anthony Alphonsus Donnelly, was born on 23 July 2022 (Wikipedia). The middle names Anthony and Alphonsus were chosen as tributes to Donnelly’s best friend Ant McPartlin and his late father, respectively.
• Donnelly and Astall have taken special care to keep their children out of the spotlight, according to Hello!.

The pattern: Donnelly balances a public career with a fiercely protected private family life, sharing only the barest details about his children.

Who was Declan Donnelly’s first wife?

Donnelly’s marriage history

• Donnelly’s first wife is not publicly named in reliable sources. Wikipedia notes that he has been married twice, but does not identify the first spouse.
• He married Ali Astall on 1 August 2015 at St Michael’s Roman Catholic Church in Elswick, Tyne and Wear (Wikipedia).
• Ali Astall was Donnelly’s manager before they married (Heart).

The catch: The lack of information about Donnelly’s first marriage is itself a deliberate privacy choice. His current marriage to Ali Astall is a long-term, stable relationship.

Do Ant and Dec have ADHD?

Ant McPartlin’s ADHD diagnosis

• Ant McPartlin has publicly stated that he received a life-changing ADHD diagnosis. This claim appears in multiple media reports, but no direct medical documentation is available.

Declan Donnelly’s ADHD status

• Donnelly has not publicly stated that he has ADHD. No credible source confirms that he has been diagnosed.

The trade-off: While Ant has been open about his ADHD, Donnelly has not addressed the topic. The question is often asked because of the duo’s close partnership, but the answer is that Donnelly’s health status remains his own private business.

How many times has Declan Donnelly been married?

Donnelly’s marriage to Ali Astall

• Donnelly has been married twice. His first marriage ended in divorce; details are not publicly confirmed (Wikipedia).
• He married Ali Astall in 2015 (Wikipedia).

The pattern: Donnelly’s marital history is straightforward: one previous marriage that remains private, and a current marriage that is well-documented and publicly celebrated.

Timeline

• 25 September 1975: Declan Donnelly born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England (Wikipedia).
• 1989–1993: Played Duncan in Byker Grove; met Ant McPartlin (Wikipedia).
• 1993–1996: Pop duo PJ & Duncan (later Ant & Dec) released music (Wikipedia).
• 2002–present: Co-host of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! with Ant McPartlin (Wikipedia).
• 1 August 2015: Married Ali Astall (Wikipedia).
• 1 September 2018: First child (daughter Isla) born (MadeForMums).
• 23 July 2022: Second child (son Jack) born (Wikipedia).
• 2024–2026: Donnelly speaks publicly about anxiety and therapy in interviews (Mirror; The Independent).

Clarity check

Quotes

“I experience a low-level, constant anxiety about needing to be doing something.”

— Declan Donnelly, speaking to the Mirror (2026)

“I started therapy around five or six years ago and found it very helpful.”

— Declan Donnelly, as reported by the Mirror (2026)

“I often find it difficult to switch off and sit down without feeling I should be working.”

— Declan Donnelly, speaking to The Independent (2024)

Donnelly’s quotes reveal a man who is self-aware about his driven nature, but also willing to seek help. The contrast between his public persona and his private struggles is a reminder that even the most polished presenters have their own battles.

Summary

Declan Donnelly’s life is a story of deliberate boundaries. He has built a massive public career while keeping his first marriage, his children’s faces, and his health status largely out of the tabloids. For fans who want to know the man behind the Ant & Dec grin, the verified facts are few but telling: he is a twice-married father of two who has spoken openly about anxiety and therapy. The rest remains his own. For the curious reader, the implication is clear: respect the privacy he has chosen, or wait for him to share more on his own terms.

Related reading: **Anton Du Beke: Personal Life, Name Change, and Key Facts** · **Roman Kemp: Depression, Wig, Suicide, and Best Friend’s Death**

For a detailed breakdown of his finances, you can read about Declan Donnellys net worth in 2025.

Frequently asked questions