Declan Donnelly and wife expecting first child

Donnelly, 42, and Astall, 40, met when she worked as his talent manager. They married in 2015, with the presenter’s Saturday Night Takeaway co-host Ant McPartlin as best man.

They announced their pregnancy on Twitter using the Ant and Dec account.

Donnelly wrote: “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.”

A source told The Sun: “This has come at a difficult time for them both, given everything that Ant is now going through and the pressure that has put on Dec in the past week.”

However, now that Astall passed the 12-week mark, the pair decided to go public with the pregnancy.

Their announcement follows the news that both Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly were dropped over an advertising campaign by car company Suzuki over McPartlin’s drink-driving charge.

Donnelly previously announced he would present the two remaining shows of Saturday Night Takeaway by himself. The show was postponed this weekend.

McPartlin, 42, was charged with drink-driving following his arrest earlier this month, when his black Mini collided with two other cars in Richmond, London.

A child passenger in one of the cars – a green Mini – was taken to hospital as a precaution. She is believed to be a three-year-old girl.

Others involved were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

McPartlin’s publicist has said the presenter is taking time out from his TV commitments, while the remaining episodes of Saturday Night Takeaway will be hosted solo by Declan Donnelly.

McPartlin will appear in court on 4 April.