Ant McPartlin's tattoos explained – from meaningful inking to poignant tribute (2024)

Ant McPartlin is one of the UK's best-known TV presenters, having fronted some of the country's top ITV shows, including Britain's Got Talent, I'm a Celebrity....Get Me Out of Here!, and , alongside his best pal and co-host, Declan Donnelly. But, in May, Ant took on a significantly more important role, as he became a father for the first time, after his wife, Anne-Marie, gave birth to their first child together - a son named Wilder Patrick McPartlin.

Announcing the birth of his son on Instagram, Ant shared a black and white snap of himself cradling his newborn, as a large tree tattoo could be seen on the upper half of his arm, with the names of the most important people (and pets) in his life etched into it. Over the past few years, Ant has debuted many new tattoos, with each holding a clear meaning, mapping out his life. From his AA ink symbolising his sobriety to his tribute to John Lennon, OK! delves into the 49 year old's body art....

Arrow on his right forearm and rose on his left arm

Ant McPartlin's tattoos explained – from meaningful inking to poignant tribute (1)

Two of Ant's most noticeable tattoos are the arrow on his right forearm and the rose on his left, both clearly visible when the TV host crosses his arms. The arrow reportedly signifies a positive direction forward, while the rose represents hope and new beginnings.

The Saturday Night Takeaway star first showed off the arrow in 2019, and although he hasn't fully revealed its meaning, he has confirmed it holds a "personal meaning, but it's very positive."

His John Lennon tattoo

During the 2022 series of I'm a Celeb, eagle-eyed fans spotted a new addition to Ant's tattoo collection. The presenter unveiled a large mosaic-style tattoo, a nod to John Lennon's 1971 hit, Imagine.

The circle represents the mosaic that was erected in Strawberry Fields, New York to honour the late musical icon, and in the middle, viewers could see the word 'Imagine.'

The Alcoholics Anonymous logo

Ant McPartlin's tattoos explained – from meaningful inking to poignant tribute (3)

Back in 2018, Ant was seen with a new small design on his left wrist that fans have deduced to be the AA symbol. The Alcoholics Anonymous logo features a triangle in a circle, with the words unity, service and recovery written on each of the three edges.

However, Ant's tattoo leaves out the wording. The star was seen with the tattoo (plus another sobriety-themed ink) shortly after his 2017 rehab stint, where he checked himself in to beat his alcohol struggles. Speaking about the design, Ant said: "It means a great deal to me. The tattoo is based on the symbol but is not exactly the same."

"It's more about beliefs and principles and where your mind is at in terms of love and being of good service to other humans, moving forward positively. It's about how I am and how I will live my life in a good way," he added.

Other sobriety tattoos

Ant has had the letters S and H permanently inked on his right wrist, too. While it's unclear what the H stands for, The Sun has since confirmed that the S stands for sober.

Sweet tribute to his wife

Ant McPartlin's tattoos explained – from meaningful inking to poignant tribute (5)

It was also reported back in 2021 that the 47 year old had gone under the needle again, this time, for a touching tribute to his wife, Anne-Marie Corbett.

Ant, who has previously shared that his wife of nearly two years supported him through his "lowest depths," now sports a tattoo of the letter 'A' encased in a heart on his chest. The TV icon also has three stars inked near his left wrist, though their significance remains unknown.

Family tree

Ant McPartlin's tattoos explained – from meaningful inking to poignant tribute (6)

In the image Ant shared to announce the birth of his son, Wilder, Ant's tattoo shows a huge blossoming tree with the names - Amzie (presumably for his wife of three years Anne-Marie), his two step daughters, Daisy and Poppy, and Ant's two pooches - Milo and Bumble.

After fans questioned why the name of Ant's beloved dog Hurley - who he shares with ex-wife Lisa Armstrong - didn't feature on the inking, Ant soon put their minds at ease, sharing on Instagram: "Glad you loved the tattoo as well. For all you dog lovers who asked why my beloved Hurley wasn’t on the family tree..he was!! He was just covered by our newborn. All my love, gratitude and heartfelt thanks A."

No doubt Ant will soon be back in the tattooist's chair, as one could assume that he will want to incorporate his new son's name into the inking.

Latest addition

Ant McPartlin's tattoos explained – from meaningful inking to poignant tribute (7)

Ant revealed his latest ink on his and Dec's Instagram-only show, Jungle Club. His latest design features three cartoon "doggos" sitting in a row as a tribute to his dogs, maltipoos Milo and Bumble and chocolate labrador Hurley.

And there might be more on the way as Ant appealed for fans' help tracking down an Aussie tattooist so he can have another one before I'm A Celeb is over.

Ant McPartlin's tattoos explained – from meaningful inking to poignant tribute (2024)

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