Lisa Armstrong's Defiant Valentine's Message Amidst Heartbreak
Lisa Armstrong, the award-winning make-up artist and ex-wife of television presenter Ant McPartlin, has shared a remarkably sassy and defiant social media post this Valentine's Day weekend. This public display of resilience comes as she grapples with profound personal heartbreak following the devastating loss of her beloved chocolate Labrador, Hurley.
A Shared Loss for Former Couple
The beloved family pet, which Lisa and Ant had shared for a full twelve years, passed away this week after a period of illness. The former couple, who divorced in 2018 after more than two decades together, were both left utterly devastated by the loss. Reports indicate that Ant McPartlin rushed directly from the launch event for Britain's Got Talent to be with Lisa at the veterinary clinic to say their final goodbyes to Hurley.
The dog had been a constant in both their lives, originally adopted during their marriage and subsequently co-parented amicably after their highly publicized and bitter separation. In a notable reflection of their shared attachment, Ant McPartlin had previously credited Hurley with providing crucial emotional support during his well-documented battles with drink and drug addiction. Lisa Armstrong also maintained a close bond with the pet as she navigated the difficult waters of her divorce from the prominent TV personality.
A Poem of Solitary Celebration
Returning to her Instagram platform following the sad news, Lisa Armstrong chose to mark Valentine's Day not with romantic sentiment, but with a pointed and humorous poem celebrating solitude. The verse began: "Roses are flowers, pebbles are stones, here's a big shout to those on their own." It concluded with the cheeky line: "Count yourself lucky and try not to sob, look at the bright side, you're not with a n*b."
This post was accompanied by a video showing a girl releasing hearts into the sky, perhaps symbolizing letting go or sending love. The Strictly Come Dancing make-up artist's message was clear: she would rather be contentedly alone than be in a relationship with someone who does not truly value or deserve her.
Hurley's Celebrity Status and Custody Battle
Ant McPartlin had spoken publicly about his deep bond with Hurley in a 2019 interview with The Sun On Sunday, following his stint in rehabilitation. "There's a loyalty and a love and a companionship with Hurley that you can't describe," he said. "He never tells me off and is always pleased to see me. I came out of a shop the other day and there was a woman on the floor cuddling Hurley. She said to me, 'It's the dog from the papers!' Hurley's a celebrity."
This affection was so strong that during their divorce proceedings, Ant McPartlin was reportedly adamant about not surrendering full custody of Hurley to Lisa. He allegedly instructed his lawyers, "She can have anything she wants – except the dog." This arrangement led to their successful shared custody of the pet post-split.
Further Personal Turmoil for Lisa
The loss of Hurley compounds a difficult period for Lisa Armstrong. It follows recent reports from The Mirror that she has also split from her actor boyfriend, Grant Kilburn. The relationship is said to have ended in January, merely weeks after friends of the couple had claimed Lisa was 'happier than ever' in this new romance.
A friend of the pair commented, "It's very sad but it wasn't to be." This contrasts sharply with insider accounts from just weeks prior, which described a relationship where Lisa felt prioritized and adored. "She's been so used to being in relationships where she played second fiddle. This time, she's number one," an insider had said. "She's taking it slow, she doesn't want to get hurt again – but she's being treated like a princess and her new man cannot do enough for her."
Meanwhile, Ant McPartlin has moved on, marrying his former personal assistant, Anne-Marie Corbett, in 2021. The couple now have a young son named Wilder Patrick. Despite their separate lives, the shared grief over Hurley's passing has undoubtedly brought a moment of poignant connection for Lisa Armstrong and Ant McPartlin, underscored by Lisa's very public, bittersweet, and sassy Valentine's Day stance.
