Lisa: “I won’t let Ant ruin my happiness”
As Lisa Armstrong gets ready to start a fresh chapter following her marriage split, she insists her ex, Ant Mcpartlin, won’t bring her down
She couldn’t hide S her heartache following the announcement of her separation from husband of 11 years Ant Mcpartlin in January, and was left devastated when the presenter’s new romance with former PA and friend Anne-marie Corbett was revealed in May.
But despite reports that Ant, 42, had moved into a new lavish £4 million pad, Lisa Armstrong, also 42, was all smiles as she walked beloved dog Hurley last week – telling pals she won’t let anything dampen her newfound happiness.
STAYING POSITIVE
A source reveals, “Lisa admits it’s been a tough couple of months, but she finally feels she’s coming through the other side of her heartache and feeling happy again. She’s insisted to pals that she won’t let what Ant gets up to with Anne-marie ruin her mood any more. She’s focused on staying positive, no matter what.”
Last week, it was reported that Ant’s suburban London pad came equipped with a swing set in the garden and six bedrooms, with insiders hinting it could be the perfect place for girlfriend Anne-marie and her two young children – from a previous marriage – to spend time.
Friends close to Lisa say they wouldn’t be surprised if the reports of Ant playing happy families had proved hurtful to the TV make-up artist after he opened up about their past fertility struggles – saying in 2013, “We’d love to have kids. We’re trying. It’s tougher than you think when you get a bit older.”
She also faced the pain of seeing Ant and Anne-marie on a “double date” night out with his showbiz partner Declan Donnelly and wife Ali.
But insiders insist Lisa has kept her head held high.
The source adds, “Lisa has told friends she can’t feel sad every time a new story or claim is made about Ant and Anne-marie. She insists that her issues with Ant are firmly in the past and that it’s not healthy to dwell on them.”
Last week, Lisa furiously denied claims she’d hired notorious divorce lawyer Ayesha Vardag in a bid to win her the best settlement in her divorce from Ant – who is reportedly worth £62 million.
But insiders say she is growing more eager to getting their divorce finalised, despite previous claims that she was stalling on the proceedings.
FEELING CONFIDENT
The source says, “Lisa has made no secret of the fact that the split was Ant’s choice and not hers. For a long time, pals say she didn’t feel ready to finalise the end of the marriage. But she’s feeling so positive and confident, she now realises her future is without Ant and that’s OK.”
Insiders recently revealed to Closer that Lisa’s confidence had been boosted after losing the better part of a stone through healthy living – and even revealed she’d struck up a flirtation with a new man while staying out in LA last month.
And sources say she is working hard to put herself first and focus on her health and happiness.
The source adds, “Lisa really embraced healthy eating and a more active lifestyle while in LA and felt amazing after losing weight. She’s feeling confident in her clothes and isn’t afraid to show off her new body.
“She’s keeping tight-lipped about her love life and telling friends she’s having fun and flirting. It’s clear she’s feeling better than ever and much more confident. She feels she’s back to her old self again and she’s determined to move on.”
❛SHE’S TELLING FRIENDS SHE’S HAVING FUN AND FLIRTING❜