Declan Donnelly, the 50-year-old television presenter, recently revealed a new beard, a look that took him a week to grow. The change from his usual clean-shaven appearance prompted a flurry of reactions from fans who debuted the look on Friday.
However, Donnelly indicated that the beard might be a temporary change, citing discomfort during its growth. "I can't wait to get rid of it, I've just entered the itchy phase," he was quoted as saying.
His long-time television partner, Ant McPartlin, also commented on the new facial hair, playfully mocking Donnelly's stubble. "Woah, woah, woah. Do you have a beard?" McPartlin reportedly said on their podcast, Belta Box. He added, "At last! We thought it couldn't happen. I didn't think it could happen but Dec has grown a beard."
Fans shared their opinions in the comments section of Donnelly's social media posts. Many expressed positive reactions, with comments like "Dec looks good with the stubble," "Omg it’s real!! I assumed it was a filter!," and "You really suit it Dec." Some encouraged him to keep the beard, suggesting "Keep it Dec, it suits you" and "I think it looks sexy! Get past the itchy stage and see how it looks!"
In other recent news, Donnelly spoke out against parents playing loud music from their phones in public spaces, describing the behavior as "selfish and rude." He shared an experience at a playgroup where a parent was playing music loudly, disrupting others who were trying to concentrate. McPartlin agreed with Donnelly's sentiment, calling such actions "selfish."
Donnelly, who shares daughter Isla, seven, and son Jack, three, with his wife Ali Astall, recently discussed his perspective on fatherhood. He described parenting as challenging but incredibly rewarding, stating that it is the "most rewarding thing" and his "favourite thing in the world." He also expressed a wish to have started a family earlier and emphasized his current focus on maintaining his health to be present for his children as they grow up. He remarked, "I wish I had done it ten years earlier, if not more because I love it so much."