Ali the Ant ally
Dec’s wife is good pals with both women in troubled TV host’s life
Sombre Lisa arrives at LAX for her holiday Lisa gets help with her luggage in LA
Ali and Dec at awards bash in May Ant and Anne-marie
Ali Donnelly and Anne-marie Corbett have known each other for more than a decade – working closely during this time. This will be as a fresh blow to Ant’s estranged wife Lisa Armstrong who has flown to Los Angeles.
Mum-of-two Anne-marie worked as the married couple’s PA for six years and, it is claimed, arranged their 10th wedding anniversary, 18 months before dating Ant.
She sorted entertainment, food and drinks while watching as a then loved-up Ant paid tribute to his wife.
A source said: “Ali and Anne-marie are friends, there is no animosity there. They have known each other for a long time and get on well.
“Ali is also friends with Lisa, they have always been pals. It is tricky for Ali but she’s handling the situation well.
“It is a relief for Ant, that Dec and Ali get on so well with Anne-marie. It has made everything a lot easier.”
Now Lisa has told friends she feels betrayed by her former friend after she moved in with Ant, 42, following their marriage breakdown.
One pal revealed: “Lisa is absolutely furious she let Anne-marie into their life, her home – and even allowed her to help them with such a special occasion celebrating their love. How things have changed. She is in bits.”
Lisa attacked Anne-marie on Twitter, telling Celebrity Big Brother star Nicola Mclean: “My friend and OUR PA who I let into OUR home.”
Lisa, 41, flew to LA on Friday to see her close friends. When asked about Ant’s new romance, Lisa just smiled and said she was in LA “on vacation”.
The Strictly make-up artist, carrying a nude Louis Vuitton handbag and with a ring on her wedding finger, looked stressed as she smoked a cigarette.
A chauffeur loaded her three cases into a car and drove her to an exclusive part of West Hollywood where she is believed to be staying in a multi-million dollar house.
Ant and Lisa’s lawyers are discussing dividing their £62million fortune. It is said they no longer speak directly after a furious phone call in March just before Ant’s drink-driving car crash.
A pal said: “They have to put everything through their solicitors as every time they talk it becomes a row.” Ant left Lisa in September following rehab to battle drink and drug addiction.
A month later, Anne-marie, also 42, ended her own marriage to Scott Corbett, the dad of their two daughters.
A pal of Ant said he and Anne-marie have only grown close this year and said organising the anniversary party was just part of her job at the time.
Some friends fear Ant has moved on too quickly and his new romance will add to the strain of his recovery.
One pal said: “We think he needs some time on his own before he jumps into a new relationship.”
Ant and Lisa wed in 2006 but split after Ant suffered personal woes.
halina.watts@trinitymirror.com
Ali is also pals with Lisa. It’s been tricky for Ali but she has handled it really well SHOWBIZ SOURCE ON ALI’S FRIENDSHIP WITH ANNE-MARIE