TV presenter Declan Donnelly's elder brother Dermott passed away at the age of 55 in July after being rushed to hospital.

Dermott, who was a Catholic priest, reportedly fell unwell and was taken to hospital after collapsing and it's thought that his brother Dec rushed to be at his side in hospital.

The Britain's Got Talent presenter, 46, comes from a large, tight-knit family and is the youngest of seven siblings who he is close to.

Born to parents Alphonsus and Anne, who were originally from Northern Ireland, Dec grew up in Newcastle after they migrated there in the 1950s.

He is the youngest of the pair's seven children and they grew up on the Crudda Park Estate, close to where his longtime pal Ant McPartlin grew up.

Dec was though to be particularly close to Dermott, and had previously thought of following his brother and becoming a Catholic priest himself.

His other two brothers are Eamonn and Martin. He also has three sisters, Camelia, Patricia and Moira.


A statement issued by the Bishop of Hexham announced the death of Dermott: "It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of Fr Dermott Donnelly who died peacefully this afternoon in hospital.

"This has come as a great shock to all of us. Please pray for the repose of his soul and keep his family, especially his mother, in your prayers at this difficult time.

"Funeral arrangements will follow when finalised."

Dec married Ali Astall in 2015 – in a ceremony believed to have been officiated by Dec's brother – but had known each other for nearly two decades after meeting through work, and their once-professional relationship then blossomed into a romantic one.

They now share a beautiful four year old daughter together, named Isla Elizabeth Anne Donnelly.

Ali announced that she was pregnant in March 2018, and their little girl was born in September of that same year.

Dec announced the news of the birth of baby Isla on Twitter, writing: “Ali and I are thrilled to announce the arrival of our baby girl, Isla Elizabeth Anne, who was born just after 9 o’clock this morning.

“Mother and daughter both doing well, Dad is head over heels! D x".

In Ant and Dec’s book, Once Upon A Tyne, the presenter opened up on his little daughter.

He said he fell completely in love with his little girl and that he didn't realise quite how much he would change as a person.

He wrote: "Becoming a dad has completely transformed me. At first, like all expectant parents, I didn't truly understand how much it was going to change me.

"I just thought it was another little person coming to live in the house… It opened up a whole other side to me, a side I didn't know existed.

"I felt a love that I didn't realise it was possible to feel. Everything I do, every day, is for my daughter now."

READ MORE:

  • Who is Dec Donnelly's wife Ali Astall and how did they meet? Here's everything you need to know
  • Declan Donnelly's priest brother Dermott dies aged 55 after hospital dash
  • Ant McPartlin leaves fans in hysterics as he films Dec 'crying' and says 'who hurt you?'
  • Ant and Dec get nostalgic as they reprise 90s PJ and Duncan roles in £2m deal
  • Get more showbiz news and stories straight to your inbox with OK!'s daily newsletter

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