‘Living with Ant is intolerable’
Ant McPartlin, out with his new love Anne-Marie Corbett, and, top, the court papers for yesterday’s hearing TROUBLED TV star Ant McPartlin’s 12-year marriage ended in a London courtroom yesterday in a hearing which lasted just 30 seconds.
The presenter’s wife Lisa Armstrong was granted a quickie divorce on the grounds of her husband’s adultery.
Court documents revealed that Lisa, who is 42 next Thursday, found it “intolerable to live” with the star.
District Judge Alun Jenkins granted the couple a decree nisi after finding the marriage had “broken down irretrievably”.
Ant, 42, and Lisa were not present for the hearing which took place at the Central London Family Court yesterday.
The pair have not commented but make-up artist Lisa – who is working with the stars on Strictly Come Dancing – hinted on social media that she was ready to “start afresh”.
No third party was named in the documents but sources close to the star said Ant admitted adultery on the grounds of his relationship with the pair’s former personal assistant Anne-Marie Corbett, 42, which began after the couple had split.
Lisa’s divorce petition, which was formally listed as LM McPartlin v AD McPartlin, was not opposed by Ant which means it is set to be finalised without delay.
The marriage will automatically be dissolved within six weeks and a day unless either party explains to the court why that should not be the case. Ant also agreed to pay Lisa’s costs.
Fortune
The I’m A Celebrity and Saturday Night Takeaway host has amassed fortune of more than £60million during a career spanning three decades as one half of Britain’s best loved TV duo with best friend Declan Donnelly, 43.
To prevent further delays the couple are thought to have already come to a financial settlement with Lisa expected to receive a HE looks the cat’s whiskers in his crisp collar and red striped tie, staring coolly from an embassy window.
But the moggy belonging to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange could end up in an animal shelter – if his owner doesn’t care for him more.
An order to look after his cat better is one of a list of house rules which has been half share. They have also agreed joint custody of their pet labrador Hurley.
The couple met at a Newcastle roadshow in 1994 when Lisa was performing in the band Deuce.
It was not until April 2005 that Ant popped the question and they married the following July at St Nicolas’ Church in Taplow, Bucks.
Lisa stood by her husband after his life was plunged into turmoil last year when he spent two months in rehab after struggling with addiction to painkillers and alcohol.
To Lisa’s dismay, it emerged in June that the star had found “new love” and was rebuilding his life with her former friend Anne-Marie.
After the hearing yesterday Lisa was showered with messages of support from well-wishers on social media.
One wrote: “Right lovely lady – today you close the door on the past and start a brand new chapter in your life, a new fresh and upbeat start. You are looking good, now feel it. You can do this Lisa.” slapped on Assange by the Ecuador government.
The 47-year-old took refuge in the South American country’s London embassy in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden. He has lived there since.
But now he has been issued with a list of strict behaviour guidelines which include improving the “well-being, food and hygiene” of his pet and cleaning his bathroom.
Failure to comply will see his internet and phone cut off and the feline packed off to a refuge.
The cat, thought to be called James and a gift from Assange’s children, often appears at the windows to gaze at people outside.
It has a following on Twitter with its own account as Embassy Cat, listing its interests as “counter purr-veillance”.
The nine pages of new rules for Assange come after Assange and, left, pet cat James he had restrictions placed on his internet access and visitors for posting messages about the Salisbury attack. Ecuador has also said it will stop helping to fund his food, laundry and medical expenses from the end of this year.