It’s been five years since they split, three years since that multimillion-pound divorce, and both have moved on with new partners, but Ant McPartlin and Lisa Armstrong still have one major dispute to resolve.
Last week, it was revealed the former couple are at loggerheads yet again after Lisa asked for full custody of chocolate Labrador Hurley.
“Lisa is absolutely distraught,” says an insider close to the Strictly make-up artist, who spent 23 years with Ant, 47, before he moved on with their former PA, Anne-Marie Corbett. “He’s the one who ended the marriage and found himself a whole new family – why can’t he just let her have Hurley? She gets so upset whenever she has to say goodbye to him.”
Ant and Lisa, 46, have had the pooch since 2013, and when they split five years later, the TV pair agreed to joint custody, with Hurley spending alternate weeks with them both. Lisa regularly shares pictures with Hurley, calling him, “Mama’s baby boy”.
Last week, as things kicked off again, the make-up artist posted a dog cartoon that read, “When I needed a hand, I found your paw.” Fans took her side, with one follower commenting, “Why can’t you just have the dog, he’s yours.” Another wrote, “Don’t give in, keep going”. A third added, “He deserves to be with you.”
I’m A Celeb… presenter Ant – who married Anne-Marie, 43, in 2021, becoming stepdad to her two daughters – has two other dogs, Milo and Bumble, but has spoken of his affection for Hurley, saying, “There’s a loyalty and a love and a companionship with Hurley.”
The source continues, “Of course, Lisa knows Ant loves Hurley, too, but she has a stronger bond with him. There were so many times when Ant was away working for months on end and Lisa had Hurley all to herself. She’s always called him her little baby. She’s not saying Ant should never see Hurley again, but this back and forth custody schedule is dredging up the past and causing disruption to her – and Hurley.”
Thankfully, Lisa has her “rock” to lean on – boyfriend of three years James Green, 39. “He’s been so lovely,” says the source. “It could have been awkward, given it is raking up past problems again, but he’s been nothing but supportive. They’ve talked about getting another dog together one day, but right now, Hurley is Lisa’s focus. He’s like her child and she’s determined not to give up without a fight.”
