Ant McPartlin, who hosts Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway tonight, made a solo announcement six years ago to terminate his marriage to his ex-wife Lisa Armstrong

They had one of the longest relationships in showbiz but in a short statement in 2018, Ant McPartlin ended his 11-year marriage to Lisa Armstrong.

And while most famous pairs issue a joint statement when it comes to divorce – who could forget Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin’s “conscious uncoupling”? – Ant flew solo when it came to seeking his. This was reportedly because Lisa had refused to issue a joint comment after seeking legal advice.

The following words came from his camp only: “Ant is very sad to announce that, after 11 years, he is ending his marriage to Lisa.” The TV star had been one half of the pop duo PJ & Duncan when he met Lisa, then part of the pop group Deuce, at a Smash Hits concert in the mid 1990s.

Ant and Lisa wed in Buckinghamshire in 2007 (Image: Getty Images)

His work partner Dec was his best man at the wedding (Image: Getty Images)
Ant went onto propose in Dubai and the couple wed in 2007 at St Nicholas’ Church in Taplow, Buckinghamshire. Ant’s best man was Declan Donnelly, 48.

The stars first met as young actors on popular teen drama Byker Grove and by the time Ant split from his wife, they had become huge TV names, teaming up for primetime shows including Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway and I’m a Celebrity! Get Me Out Of Here.

Lisa, 47, and Ant, 48, lived in a £6m home in Chiswick, West London with their beloved Labrador Hurley. They struggled to conceive, with Ant telling the Radio Times in 2013: “Lisa and I would love to have kids. We’re trying. It’s tougher than you think when you get a bit older.”

The marriage is thought to have really begun to flounder after Ant became addicted to heavy-duty painkillers following a 2015 knee operation. He then entered rehab in 2018 when he smashed into two cars when driving twice over the legal limit, receiving a 20-month driving ban and £86,000 fine.

Ant was with Lisa for 23 years
(Image: Getty Images)

The star is now married to Anne-Marie Corbett, with a child on the way

“I’ve put Lisa through hell with mood swings and depression and how it affects you,” said Ant. “I’m very sorry about the effect it has on partners. This kind of stuff puts strains on any marriage.”

Ant remarried after divorcing Lisa and is expecting his first child with new wife Anne-Marie Corbett, who used to work as his PA. Strictly Come Dancing make-up chief Lisa is said to have been “heartbroken” when she found out the news and previously revealed she had been friends with Anne-Marie, responding to a fan on Twitter with the words: “Yeah My friend and OUR Pa who I let into OUR home.”

Lisa dated Sky electrician James Green for three years before they parted ways last year, later denying rumours she was considering taking James to court after lending him money. In an Instagram message, the star also shot down reports she had received a £31m settlement after divorcing Ant. “Just for your records I have NEVER threatened to take anyone to court, and for your second record did not receive £31million,” slammed the star.