Ant and Lisa's Emotional Reunion After Eight Years for Heartbreaking Reason
Ant McPartlin and his ex-wife Lisa Armstrong came face to face for the first time in eight years last week, but the reunion was far from a peaceful olive branch. The meeting occurred under tragic circumstances, as they gathered to say goodbye to their beloved dog, Hurley, a chocolate labrador they had shared custody of since their acrimonious divorce.
A Sad Gathering at the Vet's Surgery
The former couple met in the consulting room of a vet's surgery in west London last Thursday afternoon. There, they received the devastating news that Hurley, aged 12, was grievously ill with no treatment options left. Ant, 50, reportedly rushed out of a press launch for Britain's Got Talent in London's Soho, where he had been with Declan Donnelly, Simon Cowell, and Amanda Holden, to attend the meeting with Lisa, 48.
Both were understandably inconsolable over the loss of Hurley, whom they adopted in 2013 during their struggles to conceive. However, sources suggest that their shared pain did not lead to any reconciliation between the warring exes.
Years of Bitterness and Custody Battles
A source claimed to the Daily Mail that "too much hurt, too much has happened" for peace to be made. Their 13-year marriage ended in tears in 2016, sparking a bitter custody battle over Hurley, who had become a surrogate baby for the pair. Relations were so strained that Ant's TV sidekick, Dan, often acted as a go-between, transporting Hurley between their homes.
During the divorce, Ant reportedly said Lisa could have whatever she wanted, "except the dog," whom she called her "baby boy." In an interview at the time, Ant expressed, "There's a loyalty and a love and a companionship with Hurley that you can't describe. We still share quite evenly. Hurley's welfare comes first and we both love him very much."
Lisa's Heartache and Ant's New Life
Lisa, the head of make-up for Strictly, was deeply upset by the custody arrangement, as Hurley was her constant companion during the pain of her divorce. To add to her distress, Ant moved on with their former PA, Anne-Marie Corbett, marrying her in 2021 and adding two maltipoos, Bumble and Milo, to their family. Ant also became a stepfather to Anne-Marie's two daughters and welcomed a baby, Wilder, with her in May 2024, fulfilling his dreams of fatherhood.
Friends of Lisa believed it was reasonable for her to have Hurley full-time under these circumstances. A source stated, "Lisa had to watch Ant move on with a woman Lisa regarded as her friend and that was devastating. But then he got two more dogs and at that point Lisa thought it would be fair to request Hurley live with her full time. Ant wouldn't allow it. She was both cross and very, very upset. It was cruel, plain cruel."
Unforgiven Wounds and Moving On
The source added that the situation was "heartbreaking" for Lisa and something she "won't ever forgive" Ant for. Hurley was a regular feature on both their social media accounts, symbolizing their shared past. Meanwhile, Lisa's own love life has faced challenges; after relationships including one with actor Grant Kilburn, recent reports suggest they have split. On Valentine's Day, Lisa posted a cryptic message on social media: "Roses are flowers, pebbles are stones, here's a big shout out to those on their own. Count yourself lucky and try not to sob, look at the bright side, you're not with a kn*b."
This reunion, though prompted by a shared loss, highlights the enduring bitterness between Ant and Lisa, with old wounds remaining unhealed despite the passage of time.
