Ant McPartlin and Lisa Armstrong are OFFICIALLY divorced

It's all over!

Lisa Armstrong and Ant McPartlin

by Alex Ross |
Updated on

After 11 years of marriage, popular TV presenter Ant McPartlin and Lisa Armstrong are now officially divorced, after a judge granted the couple a decree nisi in under 30 seconds at the Central Family Court in London today (Tuesday 16th October).

The pair, who first met in 1990 on a roadshow in Newcastle, announced they were splitting earlier this year, with Ant confirming he was filing for a divorce in January.

Lisa Armstrong and Ant McPartlin
©Lisa Armstrong and Ant McPartlin © Rex/Shuttershock

A statement at the time read, "In response to the recent speculation in the media, Ant is very sad to announce that, after 11 years, he is ending his marriage to Lisa McPartlin. Ant asks for privacy at this difficult time, for both himself, Lisa and their immediate families. No further statement will be made."

Check out Ant and Dec's career timeline:

Gallery

Ant and Dec's career timeline (slider)

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CREDIT: Wenn

And & Dec: Early career

Ant & Dec as PJ and DuncanIn 1989 Dec landed a part on BBC children's drama Byker Grove, playing Duncan. A year later Ant was cast as PJ – PJ and Duncan was born.Another career change for the boys came in 1994, when they began as co-presenters of children's show Gimme 5 on CITV. Just a year later they landed their own programme, The Ant & Dec Show, this time on CBBC.

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CREDIT: Shutterstock

And & Dec: Early career

Ant & Dec became popstarsIt wasn't just acting for the boys: PJ & Duncan were pop stars for a while, and became best known for their 1994 UK top 10 Let's Get Ready to Rhumble.Their last studio album, The Cult of Ant and Dec, was released in 1997, managing to chart at number 15.

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CREDIT: Rex

And & Dec: Early career

Ant & Dec hosted SMTV and CD with Cat DeeleyThis kicked off their kids' TV careers, and landed them their first BAFTA Awards.After various other presenting gigs, Ant & Dec started hosting ITV's Saturday morning shows SMTV and CD , alongside Cat Deeley, in 1998.But, in 2001, they made the move from Saturday morning to prime time – for a little show called Pop Idol…

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CREDIT: Pop Idol

Ant & Dec: Primetime career

They hit the prime time with talent show Pop IdolThey presented Pop Idol for two years, before it replaced with The X Factor and Kate Thornton took over.This gave them the opportunity to create and present Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, which is about begin its 13th series.In 2002, a year after Saturday Night Takeaway's debut, the boys joined I'm a Celebrity and have become huge parts of the show.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Ant & Dec: Awards

Among their numerous gongs, Ant & Dec have received the National Television Award for Most Popular Entertainment/TV Presenter for 15 years running. Most recently, at the 2018 NTAs, the duo won Best Presenter.

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CREDIT: Shutterstock

Ant & Dec: Relationships

In 2015 Dec married his longtime manager Ali Astall and Ant was, of course, best man. And in July 2006, Dec acted as best man at Ant's wedding to make-up artist Lisa Armstrong. Ant and Lisa, however, filed for divorce this year after 11 years of marriage.

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CREDIT: Shutterstock

Ant & Dec: Friendship

Ant previously revealed his friendship with Dec started in 1990, when he sent him a Christmas card and invited him to a football match.He said: "And that was that. It just happened immediately. We clicked. We'd spend all day making each other laugh and annoying everyone and quoting Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer lines to each other."When their parts were written out of Byker Grove, the boys vowed to stick together. Dec told Weekend magazine: "We made a pact. We said to each other, 'Look, whatever happens, I'll always be there for you and you're never in this life on your own or against the world – you've always got a mate looking out for you."Even though they work together, Ant & Dec make sure they go out together at least once a week – and even live three doors apart in London!Dec said: "It's our choice to socialise outside work. And we both get to go to work with our best mate every day. And that keeps our feet on the ground."Ant added: "We love each other, definitely."

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CREDIT: Instagram

Ant & Dec: Britain's Got Talent

Establishing themselves as the busiest presenters in the country, Ant & Dec signed up for Britain's Got Talent in 2006 – and a year later signed a two-year golden handcuffs deal with ITV, which was thought to be worth £40 million.

The 42-year-old TV presenter, who re-entered rehab earlier this year for addictions to alcohol, is now apparently dating his PA, Anne-Marie Corbett.

Anne-Marie, who separated from her husband last October, has been seen with Ant since March this year after she accompanied him to the police station a day after his drink-driving crash in South London.

Meanwhile, as Ant continues with his recovery and takes time off from the showbiz world, ITV confirmed earlier this year that he WON'T appear alongside Dec Donnelly on this year's series of I'm A Celebrity.

This Morning host Holly Willoughby will stand in for the Geordie star, with the 37-year-old saying, "I couldn't be more excited to have been asked to stand alongside Dec for the next jungle adventure."

But despite missing out on his beloved show, it seems Ant is very happy with his replacement.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Holly said, “He was part of the discussion from the off. He’s happy that I’m looking after it until he gets back. It does help that we all know each other."

I'm A Celebrity is set to return in November.

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