Lisa Armstrong’s divorce to Ant may be finalised, but now she has to deal with rumours of him getting engaged
Lisa’s heartbreak as her ex-husband officially moves on
‘Lisa knew that this day was going to come’
Over two years since they split, Ant Mcpartlin and Lisa Armstrong’s marriage officially ended last week after a decree absolute (the final part of a divorce) was granted. The news means that Ant is now free to marry his girlfriend Anne-marie Corbett, and start planning for their life together in their new London home with Anne-marie’s two daughters – something Lisa has reportedly been dreading ever since they first got together.
“It’s been an extremely difficult road with a lot of heartache and unpleasantness, but it’s finally done. It’s over,” a source said. “Ant’s been desperate to start the next chapter of his life and at least now he and Anne-marie can plan for the future. It won’t be long before they are married.”
Lisa and Ant were granted the first part of their divorce – the decree nisi – back in October 2018, but spent the following year at loggerheads as they tried to work out a deal over Ant’s reported £62million fortune and custody of their beloved chocolate Labrador, Hurley. But with that all now sorted and the former couple agreeing to share Hurley between them, Ant, 43, is keen to start afresh as soon as possible.
Insiders have speculated that now is the perfect time for Ant to propose to Anne-marie, 43, while the country is in lockdown – they are isolating together with her two daughters – with a starstudded wedding taking place once things are back to “normal”.
But as heat has told you before,
this is Lisa’s worst nightmare as she has been very open about her upset over Ant and Annemarie’s relationship. Anne-marie used to work as a PA for the couple while they were together, and she and Ant became an item shortly after he and Lisa split.
Strictly make-up artist Lisa made her unhappiness known by retweeting and liking tweets that were critical of Ant and Annemarie’s behaviour. When Ant’s new relationship was confirmed, a devastated Lisa tweeted, “My friend and our PA who I let into our home,” alongside a broken heart emoji.
Ant also appeared to rub salt in Lisa’s wounds by speaking about his love for Anne-marie, saying she had helped get him through his drink and drug battle, which saw him going through rehab twice – while he was married to Lisa. “She’s been my rock. She’s a beautiful soul. . . she is the most wonderful true woman,” he said. He has also described Anne-marie and her daughters as his “greatest loves”. Our insider says that, while Lisa, 43, is pleased the whole messy affair is finally finished, she can’t help but feel upset that her marriage to Ant – who she married in 2006, and was with for 20 years – is over and he is going to start a new life.
We’re told, “Lisa knew this day would come and, of course, it was going to upset her – there’s been a few tears shed,” we’re told.
“Her biggest fear was that once the divorce was finalised, Ant would propose to Anne-marie straight away and that looks as if it’s going to happen. So, now she’ll have to deal with them announcing their happy news and planning their big day, which will mostly likely include a lot of people who went to her and Ant’s wedding.”
The insider adds, “Thankfully she has a strong support network with her mum and friends. The last two years have been agony for Lisa, and she still believes she was treated unfairly. But now she’s determined to move on and get her happy ending. Everyone is rooting for her.” ■