Ant McPartlin makes rare return to social media after stepping down from presenting

He's back! ...Sort of

Ant McPartlin

by Emma Dodds |
Updated on

Ant McPartlin has returned to Twitter after stepping out of the public eye earlier this year. The 42-year-old, who announced his split from wife of 12 years Lisa Armstrong in January, chose to take time out of presenting after being found guilty of drink driving and returning to rehab to overcome his struggles with addiction.

Ant shares both a Twitter and an Instagram profile with his presenting buddy Declan Donnelly, who welcomed a baby daughter with his wife Ali Astall earlier this month. Since Ant's decision to step away, the accounts have mainly been run by Dec - with the exception of a congratulatory tweet from Ant after baby Isla was born.

After Dec shared the news that baby Isla had been born on 1st Sept, Ant took to their shared account to write, 'Welcome to the world baby Isla Elizabeth Anne. ❤️ Can’t wait for cuddles. I love you already!! Uncle Ant xxxxx.'

Other than that, all the other tweets have been written by Dec - apart from the most recent one, which has been signed off 'A'.

Swipe through to see which other celebrity babies have been born this year...

Gallery

Celebrities who've welcomed babies in 2018 (radio)

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West1 of 35
CREDIT: u00a9 REX/Shutterstock

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West

Kim Kardashian and her husband Kanye West welcomed their third child via a surrogate in January. The couple later confirmed they've called her Chicago West.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge2 of 35
CREDIT: u00a9 REX/Shutterstock

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcomed a baby boy at 11.01am on Monday 23rd April. They decided to call him Prince Louis.

Peter Crouch and Abbey Clancy3 of 35
CREDIT: u00a9 Getty Images and Instagram

Peter Crouch and Abbey Clancy

Footballer Peter Crouch and model Abbey Clancy welcomed their third child into the world in January, a baby boy called Johnny.

Natasha Bedingfield4 of 35
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

Natasha Bedingfield

'Unwritten' singer Natasha Bedingfield welcomed her first child into the world in January.

Ore and Portia Oduba5 of 35
CREDIT: u00a9 Getty Images and Instagram

Ore and Portia Oduba

Former Strictly Come Dancing star Ore Oduba and his wife Portia welcomed their first child, a baby boy called Roman.

Gaz Beadle and Emma McVey6 of 35
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

Gaz Beadle and Emma McVey

Former Geordie Shore star Gaz Beadle became a dad for the first time when his girlfriend Emma McVey welcomed a baby boy called Chester Raymond in January.

Danny and Georgia Jones7 of 35
CREDIT: u00a9 REX/Shutterstock

Danny and Georgia Jones

McFly star Danny Jones and his wife Georgia welcomed their first child, a baby boy called Cooper Alf in January.

Heidi Range and Alex Patakis8 of 35
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

Heidi Range and Alex Patakis

Former Sugababes singer Heidi Range and her husband Alex Partakis welcomed a baby girl into the world called Aurelia Honey Partakis.

Aston Merrygold and Sarah Richards9 of 35
CREDIT: u00a9REX/Shutterstock

Aston Merrygold and Sarah Richards

Former JLS singer and 2017 Strictly Come Dancing contestant Aston Merrygold and his partner Sarah Richards welcomed a baby boy called Grayson Jax.

Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott10 of 35
CREDIT: u00a9REX/Shutterstock

Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott

After keeping her pregnancy a 'secret' for nine months, Kylie Jenner revealed she welcomed a baby girl called Stormi with her boyfriend Travis Scott on 1st February.

Coleen and Wayne Rooney11 of 35
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

Coleen and Wayne Rooney

After a turbulent 2017, Coleen and Wayne Rooney welcomed their fourth child in February, a baby boy called Cass Mac.

Adam Levine and his wife Behati Prinsloo12 of 35
CREDIT: u00a9 REX/Shutterstock

Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo

Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine and his wife Behati Prinsloo welcomed their second child into the world in February 2018. The couple welcomed a baby girl called Gio Grace.

Robin Thicke and April Love Geary13 of 35
CREDIT: u00a9 REX/Shutterstock

Robin Thicke and April Love Geary

'Blurred Lines' singer Robin Thicke and his girlfriend April Love Geary welcomed a baby girl called Mia into the world in February.

Zoe and Brendan Cole14 of 35
CREDIT: u00a9 REX/Shutterstock

Zoe and Brendan Cole

Strictly Come Dancing star Brendan Cole and his wife Zoe welcomed a baby boy in March.

Katherine Jenkins and Andrew Levitas15 of 35
CREDIT: u00a9 REX/Shutterstock

Katherine Jenkins and Andrew Levitas

Singer Katherine Jenkins and her husband Andrew Levitas welcomed a baby boy into the world in April, calling him Xander Robert Selwyn Levitas.

Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson16 of 35
CREDIT: u00a9 Shutterstock

Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson

Khloe Kardashian welcomed her first child with her boyfriend Tristan Thompson. The couple called their daughter True Thompson.

Chrissy Teigen and John Legend17 of 35
CREDIT: u00a9 Shutterstock

Chrissy Teigen and John Legend

Chrissy Teigen and John Legend welcomed their second child together on the 17th May. Chrissy later revealed the baby's name was Miles Theodore Stephens.

Adam and Caroline Thomas18 of 35
CREDIT: u00a9 Shutterstock and Instagram

Adam and Caroline Thomas

Former Emmerdale actor Adam Thomas and his wife Caroline welcomed their second child into the world in May, a baby girl!

Cher Lloyd19 of 35
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

Cher Lloyd

Former**** X Factor**** star Cher Lloyd welcomed a baby girl called Delilah-Rae with her husband Craig Monk in May.

Eva Longoria Bastu00f3n and Josu00e9 Bastu00f3n20 of 35
CREDIT: u00a9 REX/Shutterstock

Eva Longoria Bastón and José Bastón

Eva Longoria Bastón and her husband José welcomed a baby boy called Santiago Enrique Bastón into the world on Tuesday 19th May.

Zara and Mike Tindall21 of 35
CREDIT: u00a9 REX/Shutterstock

Zara and Mike Tindall

Zara and Mike Tindall welcomed their second daughter into the world in May.The news was released in a statement by Buckingham Palace, it read, 'Mrs Michael Tindall was safely delivered of a baby girl on 18th June, at Stroud Maternity Unit. Mr Tindall was present at the birth. The weight of the baby was 9lbs 3oz.

Helen Flanagan and Scott Sinclair22 of 35
CREDIT: u00a9 REX/Shutterstock and Instagram

Helen Flanagan and Scott Sinclair

Coronation Street actress Helen Flanagan and her fiancé Scott Sinclair welcomed their second child into the world in June, a baby girl called Delilah Ruby Sinclair.

Cat Deeley and Patrick Kielty23 of 35
CREDIT: u00a9 REX/Shutterstock

Cat Deeley and Patrick Kielty

Cat Deeley and Patrick Kielty welcomed their second child in June, a baby boy called James Patrick Kielty.

Jacqueline Jossa and Dan Osborne24 of 35
CREDIT: u00a9 REX/Shutterstock and Instagram

Jacqueline Jossa and Dan Osborne

EastEnders actress Jacqueline Jossa welcomed her second daughter into the world with her husband Dan Osborne. The couple decided to call her Mia.

Tom Daley and Dustin Lance Black25 of 35
CREDIT: u00a9 Shutterstock

Tom Daley and Dustin Lance Black

Tom Daley and Dustin Lance Black announced the birth of their first child with some very cute photos. The baby was named Robbie Ray Black-Daley. Robert is the name of Tom's late dad and also his middle name.

Michael Bublu00e9 and Luisana Lopilato26 of 35
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram/Shutterstock

Michael Bublé and Luisana Lopilato

Michael Bublé and his wife Luisana Lopilato welcomed their third child, a little girl, in July 2018. Luisana took to Instagram to post a photo of the little girl's hand, showing her hospital band.

Joe Wicks27 of 35
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram/ Joe Wicks

Joe Wicks AKA The Body Coach and Rosie Jones

Joe Wicks and his girlfriend Rosie Jones announced their pregnancy in May 2018, and she gave birth to their daughter two months later on 29th July.

Vogue Williams and Spencer Matthews28 of 35
CREDIT: u00a9 Rex/Shuttershock

Vogue Williams and Spencer Matthews

Newlyweds Vogue Williams and Spencer Matthews welcomed a baby boy into the world on September 5th.

Robbie and Ayda Williams29 of 35
CREDIT: u00a9 Rex/Shuttershock

Robbie and Ayda Williams

After keeping the pregnancy a secret, Robbie and Ayda welcomed a baby girl called Collete (Coco) Josephine Williams, via a surrogate in September.

Christine and Frank Lampard30 of 35
CREDIT: u00a9 Rex/Shuttershock

Christine and Frank Lampard

TV presenter Christine Lampard and her husband, former England footballer Frank Lampard, welcomed their first child together in September. The pair welcomed a baby girl into the world called Patricia Charlotte Lampard.

Josie Gibson31 of 35
CREDIT: u00a9 Rex/Shuttershock

Josie Gibson

Former Big Brother winner Josie Gibson welcomed a baby boy called Reggie-James in September. Her waters broke at her baby shower!

Kate Hudson and Danny Fujikawa32 of 35
CREDIT: u00a9 Rex/Shuttershock

Kate Hudson and Danny Fujikawa

American actress Kate Hudson and her boyfriend Danny Fujikawa welcomed a baby girl into the world in October. The couple decided to call her Rani Rose Hudson.

Pippa Middleton and James Matthews33 of 35
CREDIT: u00a9 Rex/Shuttershock

Pippa Middleton and James Matthews

Pippa Middleton and her husband James Matthews welcomed a baby boy into the world on Monday 15th October, the same day Prince Harry and Meghan Markle confirmed they were expecting.

Hilary Duff34 of 35
CREDIT: u00a9 Rex/Shuttershock

Hilary Duff and Matthew Koma

Former Disney star Hilary Duff announced that she'd given birth to a baby girl with her boyfriend Matthew Koma, who she's been in a relationship with since January 2017. Taking to Instagram, she wrote, 'Banks Violet Bair❤ufe0f this little bit has fully stolen our hearts! She joined our world at home on Thursday afternoon and is absolute magic ✨' [sic]

Jennie McAlpine and Chris Farr35 of 35
CREDIT: u00a9 Rex/Shuttershock

Jennie McAlpine and Chris Farr

Coronation Street actress Jennie McAlpine welcomed her second child into the world in October, a baby girl called Hilda.

Now, he's replied to a hilarious tweet posted by David Walliams, who shared a photo of Queen Mary with her sons Prince Edward and Prince Albert taken 113 years ago likening it to the three of them, writing, 'My first ever meeting with @antanddec.'

Ant simply retweeted the photo, adding, '😂 brilliant!!!' [sic] over the top of it and signing off 'A'.

Fans were overjoyed to see Ant back online, with many tweeting how happy they were to see him back. One wrote, 'You tweeted! We miss you so much. Hope you are well,' as another added, 'Love you Ant, so good to see you active,' and another commented, 'Ant on his way back - big welcome waiting matey.'

Ant will continue to stay off our screens for the foreseeable future whilst he takes time to get well, and in his absence, This Morning's Holly Willoughby has stepped in to present this year's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! alongside Dec when it returns later this year.

NOW WATCH: Anna Kendrick & Blake Lively want to start a cookie decorating YouTube channel

If your favourite music icons are the Spice Girls and your favourite Ks are Kylie and the Kardashians, you need heat Radio in your life! heat Radio is portable, so you can listen to us on the move. Simply download our app from your phone’s app store or listen on DAB Digital Radio UK, on Freeview Channel 716 or online at heatradio.com and at heatworld.com. We’re on all the smart speakers too, just say “play heat Radio."

Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us