Their 23-year relationship ended bitterly six years ago, but it looks like Lisa Armstrong could finally be ready to let bygones be bygones, after she unexpectedly offered ex-husband Ant McPartlin a rare show of support last week.
The Strictly Come Dancing make-up artist liked a post from one of her telly friends hailing the presenter and his co-host Declan Donnelly as “simply the best” on social media the evening their show, Saturday Night Takeaway, ended its 20-year run.
Lisa’s olive branch came as Ant, 48, and his heavily pregnant wife Anne-Marie Corbett, 46, were seen at the show’s after-party in London. And an insider tells Closer that it’s a sign she’s ready to leave the past behind and move on for the sake of their Labrador dog, Hurley, of which they share joint custody.
“Lisa got really emotional seeing Ant do his last Saturday Night Takeaway and it understandably stirred up a lot of memories for her. She’s found herself feeling nostalgic and genuinely wanted to show some love, support and respect to Ant, because she’s always said that he’s an incredibly hard worker,” our source reveals.
“While it’s also been sad to look back, she’s found it cathartic, as she’s been working on herself lately and getting to a place of forgiveness. With Ant bidding farewell to such a big part of his career, which Lisa was originally a part of, it felt like a good time to try to bury the hatchet, and she wants them to get along.”
Lisa and Ant’s 11-year marriage ended acrimoniously in 2018 after he moved on with Anne-Marie, their former PA. Lisa accused the mother-of-two and her former friend – who worked for the couple for six years and even organised their 10th wedding anniversary party – of breaking “girl code”.
Ant described his new love as his “rock” during his drink and drug addiction battle, and they wed in 2021. The couple are now expecting their first child together and he’s also stepdad to her two teenage daughters.
Meanwhile, Lisa, 47, is single after splitting from electrician James Green last year, following three years together. She later denied she had threatened to take him to court over claims that he owed her £100k.
Despite the bitterness surrounding her former marriage, Lisa feels it’s now time to let the past go. Our source adds, “She was in a lot of pain, but Lisa has said she’s willing to be the bigger person in the hope that they can finally get along, talk again and not fight over silly things when it comes to Hurley’s schedule and wellbeing. Lisa genuinely wants to move on with her life, hold her head up high and let Ant know that she wishes him well.
“It’s never going to be easy, considering his new wife once worked for them both – which is why Lisa feels she deserves a lot of credit for getting to where she is now.” The source continues, “Lisa wants the best for herself and Hurley and feels that if she can clear some space and emotional baggage then she can create room for the next chapter of her life, which she hopes will include romance with a new man, good vibes and no more bitterness.”