Just days after Christmas, the news hit Lisa Armstrong like a tidal wave. Initially, she attempted to dismiss it as yet another piece of unfounded gossip. After all, in the five years since her separation from her former husband, TV presenter Ant McPartlin, there had been no shortage of such rumors.
Like millions of others, Lisa, a seasoned makeup artist who had spent 23 years by the side of the troubled TV personality, stumbled upon the story on Mail Online.
Yet, could it possibly be true? Could Ant, her former soulmate whom she had cherished since their teenage years, truly be so heartless?
Yet, as Lisa observed the images of Ant, 48, and his new spouse, former assistant Anne-Marie Corbett, 46, joyfully engaging with the paparazzi and other vacationers at Heathrow Airport upon their return from Dubai, where they had enjoyed a winter getaway, she began to accept the harsh reality: he was indeed capable of such callousness.
Speculations had been swirling for weeks regarding Ant and Anne-Marie’s anticipation of their first child together, and judging by Anne-Marie’s subtly fuller form and the conspicuous choice of loose-fitting attire, it seemed that the rumors might hold truth.
Pregnancy Revelation: Ant and Anne-Marie at Heathrow Airport last month – The Image That Shattered Lisa’s World
This week, the swirling speculations were validated when close friends of the couple joyfully announced their anticipation of a baby in June.
For Lisa, who had fervently yearned for and made efforts to conceive a child with Ant for years, and had stood by him through his battles with alcoholism, depression, and prescription medication addiction, this revelation was undoubtedly the most devastating aspect of their divorce.
“It’s utterly heartbreaking and deeply hurtful for Lisa,” confided a close friend. “After enduring so much with Ant, it’s profoundly distressing that he didn’t have the decency to inform her about expecting a baby. Instead, like the rest of the world, she had to learn about it through the media. The shock and betrayal she must have felt can only be imagined.”
Lisa, known for her discretion despite refusing to sign the non-disclosure agreement Ant had proposed, must have experienced an overwhelming sense of shock and betrayal. This was especially poignant considering the couple’s longstanding desire to become parents themselves.
In 2013, Ant disclosed their struggles with fertility, expressing their fervent wish for children. “Lisa and I would love to have kids. We’re trying. It’s tougher than you think when you get a bit older,” he revealed.
Regrettably, their dreams were never realized, and as they approached their forties, they acknowledged that parenthood wasn’t in their future. Instead, they welcomed their cherished chocolate Labrador, Hurley, whom Lisa affectionately refers to as her ‘baby boy.’
“Lisa had dedicated her entire adult life to Ant,” the friend continued. “They shared hopes of starting a family, but it’s Lisa who will bear the burden of childlessness for the rest of her life, not Ant. It’s the sort of pain that never truly heals.”
Adding to Lisa’s anguish, she and Anne-Marie were once friends. Anne-Marie, formerly Ant’s personal assistant, had spent considerable time at the McPartlins’ residence in West London.
According to friends of Lisa, who holds a prominent position as the head of makeup for BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing, she had shown kindness to Anne-Marie and ensured she felt welcome in her role at Ant’s talent agency, YMU.
Nuptial Celebration: Ant and Lisa on their Wedding Day in 2006
Anne-Marie parted ways with her husband, Scott, who she shares two daughters with, in October 2017, shortly before the marriage of Ant and Lisa crumbled. The separation took a toll on Lisa, according to friends, particularly as it thrust her marriage and personal life into the public eye despite her lack of desire for fame.
When their divorce was finalized in 2018, resulting in a substantial financial settlement for Lisa, a friend mentioned that she became one of the most searched women in Britain, second only to Meghan Markle.
The scrutiny intensified when Anne-Marie was seen walking Hurley in April 2018, a painful moment for Lisa. Subsequently, Anne-Marie and Ant were photographed together, confirming their relationship in 2019 when she accompanied him, along with her children, to Australia where he hosted “I’m A Celeb.” They exchanged vows in August 2021 at a lavish ceremony in Heckfield Place, Hampshire.
The desire for children was evident in Ant’s wedding speech, where he referred to Anne-Marie’s teenage daughters as ‘Dad.’ According to an acquaintance of Lisa’s, the development of Ant and Anne-Marie’s relationship caught her off guard, especially noticing instances where Anne-Marie seemed to mimic Lisa’s style.
Reflecting on their shared history, Ant and Lisa met nearly three decades ago as teenagers on the music scene. Lisa was a member of the band Deuce while Ant and Dec were rising stars as the pop duo PJ and Duncan from the TV show Byker Grove. Their relationship became public quickly, and despite Deuce’s moderate success, Lisa garnered significant media attention.
Following their romance, Lisa moved in with Ant next door to Dec in Chiswick, London, supporting him as his career soared. They tied the knot in 2006 at Cliveden House, with Dec serving as the best man.
Somewhere along their journey, the couple faced a tumultuous period as Ant battled with various addictions and inner demons. It began innocently enough with legally prescribed painkillers to manage a serious knee injury in 2014 and an unsuccessful operation the following year. However, his reliance on these drugs, coupled with alcohol, gradually escalated out of control.
For Lisa, it was an agonizing period. She confided in friends about enduring what she described as “two years of hell,” struggling to keep Ant on track. A close friend revealed, “Lisa endured unimaginable challenges during the final years of her marriage to Ant. She faced uncertainty about the survival of their relationship but remained steadfast in her commitment to him. It was an incredibly tough time.”
Lisa tirelessly urged Ant to seek professional help and implored him not to succumb to the temptations of alcohol. “It was an extremely trying period for Lisa; it seemed endless,” another friend shared. “She loved Ant deeply and was determined to support his recovery, even as she questioned the future of their marriage. She tried everything within her power, but the situation persisted.”
Eventually, in 2017, Ant sought treatment at a rehabilitation center. However, by then, the damage to their marriage was irreparable. Six months later, in March 2018, Ant’s life took a downward spiral when he was arrested and charged with drink-driving after a collision involving his Mini and two other vehicles in West London.
Despite earning a substantial income at the time, Ant faced legal repercussions, including a hefty fine and a driving ban. The incident led to his withdrawal from hosting “I’m A Celebrity,” making way for Holly Willoughby to step in temporarily.
While Lisa chose to maintain her silence amidst the public scrutiny, their separation remains contentious and ongoing. Although Ant has welcomed new pets into his life, he refuses to relinquish full custody of their dog, Hurley, insisting on shared custody arrangements. The custody handover is managed discreetly to avoid confrontation between the former couple.
Reflecting on Lisa’s resilience, a friend remarked, “Lisa has demonstrated extraordinary strength, but a few years ago, cracks began to appear, and she seemed to be losing herself. It was evident that she was grappling with significant issues, but her determination to support Ant remained unwavering. She has endured immense challenges, and we all just want to support her through this difficult time.”
