Ant McPartlin’s comeback is rocked as fans hit out over ‘digs’ he made about ex-wife Lisa
He praised his "wonderful" girlfriend of just eight months in a tell-all interview last week, crediting former PA Anne-Marie Corbett as having "saved him" amid a battle with alcohol dependency and painkiller addiction that resulted in his drink-drive arrest following a car crash last year.
But Ant McPartlin, 43, was slammed by fans after he failed to mention the support he'd had from his ex-wife Lisa Armstrong, 42, during their 24 years together.
And he was criticised in a flurry of tweets for appearing to make a dig about Lisa "liking" messages on social media, saying in the interview, "I've not been on social media or put any of my personal views out there.
"It's not my style."
Check out: The most shocking reality TV fights ever
Most shocking reality TV fights ever - SLIDER
1 of 13Georgia Steel and Ellie Brown
Probably the most dramatic night in the Love Island 2018 villa, hell broke loose when Georgia Steel returned from a date with Jack Fowler. Jack told his then-girlfriend Laura Anderson (who was also Georgia's BFF) that Georgia had pulled him in for a kiss but Georgia 100% denied this to Laura. She continued to lie about the kiss all night (well, for the whole series actually) but Ellie Brown was having none of it. She shouted at Georgia and called her out for always banging on about how 'loyal' she is. The final blow that silenced everyone was when Ellie called Georgia an 'ugly c**t'. YIKES. Even Ellie's boyfriend Charlie Brake said she went too far. The pair never fully recovered their friendship and Georgia said Ellie needed to go and 'wash her mouth out'. It's worth mentioning that Georgia has since 'fessed up to the kiss and apologised to Laura.
2 of 13Malia Arkain and Kady McDermott , Love Island
Malia was on the island for mere HOURS before going into a violent rage and being booted off the show. Love rival Malia spilt a drink down her leg when Malia retaliated with pushing, shoving and a whole lotta swearing. Well that's one way to make a first impression in front of people.
3 of 13Miles Barnett and Jordan Wright, TOWIE
The longtime feud got physical on The Only Way Is Essex when Myles punched Jordan square in the face. The pair had exchanged verbal abuse before but things got REALLY ugly this time.
4 of 13Ferne McCann and Gemma Collins, TOWIE
Following a dispute from earlier in the week, the TOWIE girls exchanged sharp words at a girls night in. Gemma stole the argument with the now classic line: "I'm 34-years-old I've earned my diva-ship".
5 of 13Bobby Norris and Gemma Collins, TOWIE
Securing her reputation as Queen of Confrontations, Gemma Collins turned her sharp tongue to BFF Bobby Norris. Poor Bob told Gemma she was 'throwing him under a bus' for dragging him into an argument between her and Lauren Pope. It ended with Gemma throwing a drink in his face.
6 of 13James Diags and Tommy Mallet, TOWIE
The TOWIE boys sure know how to celebrate St Paddy's Day. Diags accused James of getting up to no good behind his girlfriend Georgia Kousoulou's back and an explosive argument ensued.
7 of 13Kim Woodburn and Jamie O'Hara, Celebrity Big Brother
Controversial Kim isn't afraid to let loose. The How Clean is your House star had to be removed by security after a heated argument with Jamie O'Hara and Nicola McLean. It ended with Kim repeatedly shouting: "Adulterer!"
8 of 13Megan McKenna in Celebrity Big Brother
Megan McKenna wasn't let out of the diary room because she was JUST SO ANGRY. The Ex on the Beach star had had enough of her fellow housemates, specifically Tiffany Pollard and John Partridge.
9 of 13The WHOLE house in Big Brother 5
Who could EVER forget Fight Night? The original Big Brother bust-up happened in season 5. Pretty much the whole house was divided and involved - with Victor Ebuwa and Emma Greenwood throwing trays at each other. It was IN-SANE.
10 of 13Jemma Lucy and Kayleigh Morris, Ex On The Beach
Jemma was kicked off Ex on the Beach after this vicious physical fight with Kayleigh. It was clear the girls never got on and Kayleigh grew jealous of Jemma's relationship with her ex, Ashley Cain.
11 of 13Millie Macintosh and Hugo Taylor, Made in Chelsea
Perhaps one of the classiest cat fights to grace our TV screens, Millie Macintosh raised a glass and announced Hugo's infidelities with her BFF Rosie Fortiscue. She then met up wth Hugo and gave him a well deserved (and very expensive) drink in the face. And now the pair are about to get engaged!
12 of 13Camilla Thurow and Jonny Mitchell, Love Island
We applaud Camilla for giving clueless Jonny a lesson in feminism. When he asked her if she was a feminist, she replied: "Shouldn't we all be feminists? Surely you believe in equality?" Well said, Camilla.
13 of 13Spencer Matthews and Jamie Laing, Made in Chelsea
It was actually quite sad to see this bromance hit rocky waters. The girl who got between them (it's always over a girl, right?!) was Lucy Watson. We were glad to see that they quickly reconciled.
Days later, he was mired even deeper in controversy when he won Best Presenter at the National Television Awards alongside TV partner Dec Donnelly.
Even presenter Piers Morgan spoke out in support of Lisa, saying last week, "I think that there’s somebody else involved in all this, who is Lisa, who I know well, who I’d imagine is pretty hurt by it. I always find it funny when people say, 'I’ve never been happier,' when they’ve already been married for 20 years."
Following the drama, pals tell Closer magazine that Ant has struggled seeing Lisa – who has enjoyed huge success in her own career working as a make-up artist on Strictly and Britain’s Got Talent – being inadvertently thrust into the spotlight in January last year.
A source says, "Throughout their relationship Ant was always the star, and Lisa loyally stood by and supported him. She never sought the spotlight and was happy on the sidelines.
"But since news of their divorce, she has found herself catapulted into the limelight. Women are sending supportive Tweets and she’s being contacted for interviews, work offers and book deals.
"It’s a bit frustrating for Ant, because while he’d hoped life would quietly move on after their divorce, he worries Lisa’s new high-profile image and these comments from her fans will always be there, dragging up his past."
They added: "To make matters worse, he’s still reeling from the backlash from fans over his NTAs win with Dec. It seems as though many people are on Lisa’s side."
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The insider continued and added: "Ant is desperate to leave the past behind, saying he’s in a better place, but the negative reaction has made him worry it might not be that simple. This hostile reaction has really taken him by surprise."
Lisa met Ant in 1994 on the Smash Hits tour – when she was part of pop group Deuce – and Ant was performing with Dec in PJ & Duncan. As they fell in love, Lisa started working behind-the-scenes, rarely being pictured on the showbiz circuit.