Can Ant save his broken marriage?
● Claims Ant Mcpartlin has moved out and wants ‘space’ to ‘re-evaluate’ his 11-year marriage to Lisa Armstrong ● He’s hurt by divorce speculation ● The pair are due to be separated again as he films I’m A Celeb! in Australia
Their fractured marriage was under increasing pressure last week, when reports emerged that troubled Ant Mcpartlin had moved out of the home he shared with his wife Lisa Armstrong, and “needs space” to “re-evaluate” their 11-year marriage.
The news came just days before Ant planned to jet out to Australia to begin filming the new series of I’m A Celeb!. The couple have endured a rocky five months since the 41-year-old TV presenter made the shock announcement in June that he was heading to rehab for an addiction to painkillers following a knee injury.
And after make-up artist Lisa was photographed crying last week, fans questioned their future, with one writing online, “It’s obvious the marriage is over, it’s just that neither wants to be the one to say it.” Another added, “If you need time apart to decide if you want to be with your wife or not, that marriage is clearly over.”
PRESSURE
Insiders say the continued speculation over the state of their broken marriage has created fresh heartache for the pair.
A source says, “Day-to-day life without Ant is a struggle, and while Lisa is trying to throw herself into work and stay busy, she says the pain is almost unbearable some days.
“Ant is equally as down about it, and all this speculation about a divorce is adding to his heartache. They’re in contact and trying to work on things, but Lisa says it isn’t the same and she’s pining for that connection they once had.
“She knows that living apart is the right thing for now as they need time to work on themselves if they’re going to get back on track. It’s extremely sad for her, but she knows it has to be like this if they’re going to have any chance at salvaging things.”
Ant, who has kept his wedding ring on throughout reports of marital strife, has completed two stints in rehab, initially for eight weeks in LA before carrying out another five-week course in September.
Now pals tell Closer they’re taking the time to work things out and neither are ready to give up on things completely.
The source says, “Time apart is helping put things in to perspective for Lisa, and it’s made her realise that she doesn’t want to give up without a fight. But she’s distraught that people are saying they’re on the verge of a permanent split, as it just adds to the pressure of trying to save their marriage.
“They’ve been urged to take some space and get back to basics to reignite their spark.”
Ant came clean about his secret two-year drug addiction following two knee operations in 2014 and 2015, just days after his wife rushed him to hospital when he binged on Tramadol (an opioid-based painkiller), morphine and alcohol in June.
SUPPORT
Recalling the drama in an interview, he said, “I was at the point where I’d take anything – and take them with alcohol, which is ridiculous. The doctors told me, ‘You could have killed yourself.’”
In a show of unity, supportive Lisa shared a video montage of the couple’s relationship on Twitter. Ant has thanked his “amazing” wife for her continued support, saying, “I’ve put Lisa through hell with mood swings and depression. She’s been fantastic throughout rehab.”
Despite Ant – who co-hosts I’m A Celeb! and Britain’s Got Talent alongside best pal Declan Donnelly, who was snapped visiting him at his west London home last week – jetting off to Australia, friends are confident they’ll get their relationship back on track.
The source adds, “Lisa still harbours a lot of anger towards Ant and they’ve both admitted they lost their way – but they’ve never stopped loving each other. Most couples couldn’t survive this, but their friends believe they can.”
❛IT HAS TO BE LIKE THIS IF THEY’RE GOING TO HAVE A CHANCE OF SALVAGING THINGS❜