16 May 2024 , 10:18
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Lisa Armstrong and Ant McPartlin were together for 11 years before their marriage came to a crashing end.
The former showbiz couple met when they were teenagers and stayed together for 23 years - but their relationship became destructive and painful when they struggled to conceive and Ant's career was rocked by a drug addiction scandal. The celebrity make-up artist loyally stood by him through the dark times until they split in 2018.
After their bitter break-up, Ant moved on with his PA, Anne-Marie Corbett, and the pair wed in 2021. On Tuesday, they welcomed their first baby together, a son called Wilder Patrick McPartlin. Sharing his happy news with fans, the Britain's Got Talent star, 48, said: "Baby is beautiful, Mummy's a legend, Sisters are over the moon. Dad's a mess."
Ant announced that he had become a first-time father on Tuesday to baby boy Wilder (antanddec/Instagram)
Lisa was in a relationship with Ant for over two decades and they struggled to conceive (lisaarmstrongmakeup/Instagram)At the same time, Lisa, 47, took to her own Instagram page to share a post about an ongoing "battle". The quote read: "Be proud of how you have been handling these past few months. The silent battles you've fought, the moments you've had to humble yourself, the times you've wiped your own tears. Celebrate your strength."
Ant's news also came as Lisa marked the fifth anniversary of her father's death. She paid a sweet tribute on social media, sharing a photo of her late dad Derek's gravestone, which read: "In loving memory of Dot Armstrong tragically taken on 29.6.1992 and Derek John Armstrong 12.4.1948 - 13.5.2019. Sadly missed husband, dad and grampy. Forever in our hearts." Lisa captioned the post: "My heart…. 5 years #MyDegs #MyHero."
Ant McPartlin’s ex Lisa Armstrong poses with boyfriend after concerning post
Lisa's close friend said the star was left 'heartbroken' when she discovered that the Geordie TV presenter was set to become a father with his new wife, given that they never had any children together. One of Lisa's colleagues told the Mail: "Can you imagine having to see that if you're Lisa? It must literally have left her heartbroken. She tried so hard for their marriage, she tried so hard to save him and when they split she was left without a baby."
The source claimed Ant didn't inform Lisa of his life-changing news. They added: "It broke poor Lisa, she gave him 23 years of her life, practically all of her adult life. Then when Ant is to be a dad he didn't even have the decency to tell her. She had to read about it in the Mail."
Ant's drug and alcohol addiction 'put strains' on their marriage and they split in 2018 (Getty Images)
Ant went on to marry Anne-Marie in 2021 and the couple now share a son together (PA)Ant and Lisa's marriage was tested by many heartbreaking and difficult challenges near the end. In 2013, Ant said that they were struggling to conceive. He told Radio Times in 2013: "Lisa and I would love to have kids. We're trying. It's tougher than you think when you get a bit older." He admitted they had wanted to start a family "for a while".
Their relationship is thought to have begun to flounder when Ant became addicted to heavy-duty painkillers following a 2015 knee operation. Lisa is said to have stood resolutely by is side as she tried to aide his recovery.
But a make-up artist friend of Lisa told the Mail it was at that point she realised they were in stormy waters: "She went through hell. She wasn't sure if her marriage would survive, but she stood by him to try to save him. It was so hard for her. Ant was in such a bad way she often feared the situation was untenable."
He then entered rehab in 2018 after smashing into two cars while driving twice over the legal limit. He received a 20-month driving ban and £86,000 fine.
"I've put Lisa through hell with mood swings and depression and how it affects you," Ant said at the time. "I'm very sorry about the effect it has on partners. This kind of stuff puts strains on any marriage." That year, they were living in a £6million home in Chiswick, West London, with their beloved Labrador Hurley when they divorced.
While most famous pairs issue a joint statement, Ant flew solo. This was reportedly because Lisa had refused to issue a joint comment after seeking legal advice. The following words came from his camp only: "Ant is very sad to announce that, after 11 years, he is ending his marriage to Lisa." Lisa then dated electrician James Green for three years before they split in 2023.