Kicking off the live episode, Ant and Dec were seen in a black cab and Ant said: ‘It’s finally here, the live semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent.’

Pulling out a red clipboard, Dec, also 48, said: ‘Hey, we should check the old checklist, make sure we’ve got everything.’

Dec began: ‘Nappies, baby wipes…’ before turning to Ant and saying: ‘Hang on – this is yours!’

Declan Donnelly, 48, poked fun at fellow 48-year-old Ant McPartlin’s new fatherhood status as the pair launched the first Britain’s Got Talent semi-final on Monday night.

 Kicking off the live episode, Ant who became a father for the first time when his son Wilder was born on May 14, said: ‘It’s finally here, the live semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent’

Dec said: ‘Hey, we should check the old checklist, make sure we’ve got everything.’ He began: ‘Nappies, baby wipes…’ before hilariously turning to Ant and saying: ‘Hang on – this is yours!’

Ant put on expression of mock anger before grabbing the clipboard and saying: ‘That’s my list. Give it here!’

The pair then revealed their real checklist which included themselves, a ‘brilliant audience’, dancers, and viewers at home.

When the show itself began, head judge Simon Cowell congratulated Ant on becoming a father.

Music mogul Simon, 64, said: ‘I’d like to congratulate you on becoming a dad Ant, I’m really happy for you.’

The audience cheered as the Ant thanked Simon for his words and the gift he had sent him upon the arrival his baby boy.

BGT viewers were quick to comment on the sweet moment, hailing how happy the presenter appeared.

They wrote on X, formerly Twitter: ‘Simon saying congrats to ant and him having the biggest smile my heart’;

‘Aww Simon sent Ant a gift bless’; ‘Awwww Simon congratulating Ant!!!’;

The pair then revealed their real checklist which included themselves, a ‘brilliant audience’, dancers, and viewers at home

When the show itself began, head judge Simon Cowell congratulated Ant on becoming a father

The audience cheered as Ant thanked Simon, 64, for his words and the gift he had sent him upon the arrival his baby boy

‘Simon congratulating ant becoming a dad and the birth of his baby boy and he’s happy for him’; ‘Ant’s first time on live TV since the birth of his child and he’s happier than ever’.

Announcing the news of Wilder’s birth on Instagram earlier in the month, Ant shared an Instagram snap sweetly cradling his baby boy.

He wrote: ‘Born, 14/05/24 at 8.54am. Baby is beautiful, Mummy’s a legend, Sisters are over the moon. Dad’s a mess!’.

The baby is Ant’s first while Anne-Marie has two children, Poppy, and Daisy, from her previous marriage.

Ant’s ex-wife Lisa Armstrong has since returned to social media for the first time since the presenter welcomed Wilder.

The makeup artist shared a cryptic post on her Instagram Stories stating that ‘behaviour never lies’.

Ant’s baby news is said to have shattered Lisa, who remains childless at 47 following her acrimonious divorce from the presenter.

Since the split, Lisa has had one constant source of support by her side – loyal Labrador Hurley. She shares joint custody of the beloved canine with Ant but reports say she wants sole possession of him – something he is said to have resisted.

Ant shared a Instagram snap sweetly cradling his baby boy writing: ‘Born, 14/05/24 at 8.54am. Baby is beautiful, Mummy’s a legend, Sisters are over the moon. Dad’s a mess!’

Ant and Anne-Marie pictured together in 2021

BGT viewers were quick to comment on the sweet moment, hailing how happy the presenter appeared

But she has reportedly vowed to fight on for sole custody of the chocolate Labrador, who regularly features in her Instagram posts, where she refers to him as ‘Mama’s baby boy’.

Ant and Lisa adopted Hurley in 2013 following struggles to have a child of their own.

Ant is said to have refused to surrender full custody of Hurley to his ex during their reported £31million divorce battle, reportedly telling lawyers: ‘She can have anything she wants – except the dog.’

The arrangement led to the TV presenter’s chauffeur ferrying the dog between the two of them so they did not have to see each other.

Anne-Marie was said to have expressed a wish to care for the Lab full-time in February – and friends close to the make-up artist say that desire is stronger than ever following the birth of Ant’s firstborn.

‘She felt very betrayed by both Ant and Anne-Marie and felt that none of this has been handled sensitively, especially the announcement of the baby,’ sources have told The Sun.

‘The one thing that has got her through it and been by her side constantly is Hurley – she doesn’t know what she would do without him. He’s more than just a dog to her and has been a lifeline at times.’

They added: ‘Ant obviously loves Hurley as well but he now has a lot of other responsibilities and things going on in his life and Lisa can’t see why she can’t have full custody of him. She needs Hurley by her side.’

Ant’s ex-wife Lisa Armstrong has returned to social media for the first time since the presenter welcomed Wilder

She also shared a snap of four labradors, including her beloved dog Hurley, along with the caption: ‘Got the band back together’

The former couple reportedly agreed to take it in turns to look after Hurley, with the arrangement seeing Ant’s chauffeur ferrying the dog between them so they did not have to see each other.

But the news of Wilder’s birth is said to have hit Lisa hard – particularly after she spent years supporting Ant during a tumultuous period that saw him battle a prescription drug addiction and a drinking problem.

His struggles with alcohol only became public in March 2018 – two months after he and Lisa divorced – when he was involved in a car crash and charged with drink-driving, for which he was fined £86,000.