It’s no secret that she longed to have children when she was married to Ant McPartlin – but last week Strictly Come Dancing's Lisa Armstrong had to face speculation that her ex and his wife, Anne-Marie Corbett, are about to welcome their first child together.
And after a turbulent few months in her personal life following her split from James Green, insiders say that it’s dredged up past hurt.
Our source says, “Lisa’s understandably upset about the rumours Anne-Marie could be pregnant. To learn that Anne- Marie may be expecting a baby with the man she tried to start a family with and loved for years has rocked her, as it would for anyone in her position.
"The betrayal still stings and is something that will likely never go away. While she has no idea if the rumours are true, it was the last thing she needed to hear after having a tough end to the year following her break-up. But she’s determined not to let anything stand in the way of her happiness and has vowed to finally get her happy ever after.”
The Strictly Come Dancing make-up artist, 47, tied the knot with TV presenter Ant, 48, in 2006. They were married for 12 years before their divorce was finalised in October 2018. Two months after announcing their separation in the January, Ant hit headlines after being involved in a car accident in London, which saw him arrested and later charged with drink-driving. As well as a 20-month driving ban and £86,000 fine, Ant returned to rehab after previously admitting himself for an addiction to prescription drugs the year before.
His relationship with his former personal assistant Anne-Marie, 46 – who was also a good friend of Lisa’s – came to light in June 2018, with the couple saying “I do” three years later. The Britain’s Got Talent host previously credited his new wife for helping him through his addiction struggles.
He said in 2019, “She’s been my rock. She’s a beautiful soul. We’re very happy. I’m in the best place I’ve been in my life. It’s great.”
Meanwhile, Lisa found love again with electrician James after they reportedly met in a bar just before lockdown in 2020. They shared many smitten snaps from dates and holidays, with fans commenting on how “happiness looked good on her”. But in August last year, the pair went their separate ways, with James moving out of her London home.
It was alleged that Lisa had threatened to take him to court for £100,000, which she had lent him during their relationship, when he had reportedly become reluctant to pay her back. But in a post shared ahead of the new
year, Lisa shut down the speculation, writing, “I have NEVER threatened to take anyone to court”. She also denied that a cryptic Instagram story about karma was aimed at Ant and Anne- Marie – who is already mum to two daughters from her first marriage – following the pregnancy reports, adding, “You’ll see that I put up a story yesterday night way before any pictures or any story.”
And now, a source tells Closer that Lisa is determined not to harbour any hurt in 2024 and instead seize the new year for all it’s worth.
The insider reveals, “Thanks to support from family and friends, Lisa is determined to bounce back and prove that she will not be broken down by the hurt and betrayal she’s endured over the last few years.
“She has vowed to make 2024 her best yet – insisting that she wants to continue flourishing in her career, hopefully meet someone and fall in love again and find that happily ever after she deserves.”
Lisa – who was previously a member of now-defunct pop band Deuce – has been showered with support from her 165,000 followers going into the new year.
“Keep being you Lisa, hope 2024 is the best for you”, one wrote as the make-up artist celebrated her good pal Craig Young’s wedding. A second added, “Wishing you love and lots of luck this year, Lisa. You deserve it”.
And now, our source says that she hasn’t been deterred from trying to find her happily ever after, despite some of the reservations her pals have about her getting back onto the dating scene.
“While friends have urged her to take some time out from dating, she’s insisted she’s not wasting any more time crying over men who don’t know how to treat a woman and she wants to get straight back on the horse,” they say. “She knows the pain from her past will never fully go away, but she is determined that it doesn’t dictate the rest of her life and she can find peace, contentment and happiness with someone who knows her worth and loves her unconditionally.”