Ant and his old pal act
Boss Simon is star’s pedigree chum
Mate helps him... but it’s not Dec
SIMON Cowell has taken troubled Ant McPartlin under his wing.
The Britain’s Got Talent boss is trying to cheer up his host by keeping him by his side after his divorce announcement.
Ant was recently seen in a sombre mood as he walked his beloved dog Hurley.
But the gloom appears to have lifted after reporting back to work on BGT in Blackpool.
Simon is offering the Geordie presenter lifts in his private jet and head massages, and even bringing BGT jester David Walliams along for entertainment.
And it seems to be working. Ant, 42, was in hysterics in snaps shared by Walliams from the plane.
He was also seen in Blackpool larking around with judges Simon, David, Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden, as well as sidekick Declan Donnelly.
A BGT insider said: “Simon knows that when Ant and Dec are on song, so is the show.
“Ant has to be his focus as the drama in his private life could be a sideshow. Simon wants to cheer him up and that’s why he’s spoiled him rotten.”
However, things are looking bleaker for Ant’s estranged wife Lisa Armstrong.
The telly make-up artist has reportedly been banished to BGT’s spin-off show on ITV2 after years working on the main programme.
She is now fixing second-string presenter Stephen Mulhern’s make-up.
Bosses reportedly moved her to avoid awkward meetings with Ant.
Lisa is said to be due £31million in the divorce deal, half of Ant’s £62m fortune.
But she appears to be yearning for her ex after months of trying to save their marriage.
On Twitter earlier this week, she “liked” one of Walliams’ photos of Ant with the rest of the BGT judging gang and Dec.
Lisa has also liked a number of messages of support since the divorce announcement.