After everything she has been through over the past few years, nobody would deny Lisa Armstrong the happy ending she deserves – and last week, it looked as if she’d got just that.
Pictures emerged of her looking loved-up with her new boyfriend James Green as they walked her beloved Labrador Hurley in a London park, and Lisa even seemed to confirm the romance on Twitter by responding to a fan’s comment about him being “fit”.
An onlooker said, “She and James both looked really happy. They were very lovey-dovey, as you are in the early stages of romance. They were chatting intently, holding hands, and she was laughing a lot. They made no effort to disguise their feelings.”
However, within days, Lisa was facing criticism when it emerged that father-of-two James is still technically married and had only split from his wife Kirsty a few months ago. Kirsty, who married electrician James five years ago, and has a 14-year-old daughter and an 11-year-old son with him, said she had a suspicion that her ex was dating Lisa, 43.
She revealed to a newspaper, “I saw the photos of James and Lisa yesterday – on my birthday, which wasn’t the best present ever. I’d kind of already had an idea they were an item, as someone gave me the heads-up. James and I are not divorced yet, we are still going through the process, but we split earlier this year and obviously he has moved out. We were together for a long time, and I still have a good relationship with him and still speak to him. He is the father of my two children, after all.”
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The news led to a lot of cruel online speculation that Lisa had started seeing James while he was still married, something she’s told friends is completely untrue and that she would never do. “Lisa would never get involved with someone who is married, that’s absolutely not her style,” our source explains.
“James’ marriage was already over way before they met, and they have grown close over the past few weeks. They met before lockdown started, but things only got romantic after restrictions eased and they could spend more time together. She’s obviously hurt by what some people are saying, but she knows the truth. She’s so glad she’s found happiness again and won’t let anything or anyone ruin it.”
It’s been almost three years since Lisa split from TV star Ant McPartlin, following his stint in rehab for drink and drug addiction. Several months after Ant officially announced he was divorcing Lisa – something she did not want – it was revealed he was in a relationship with the couple’s former PA, Anne-Marie Corbett. The Strictly make-up artist regularly retweeted and liked tweets slamming Ant and Anne-Marie’s behaviour, and how they treated her. When Ant’s new relationship was confirmed, a devastated Lisa tweeted, “My friend and our PA who I let into our home,” alongside a broken heart emoji.
Ant also appeared to rub salt in Lisa’s wounds by speaking about his love for Anne-Marie, saying she had helped get him through his drink and drug battle. “She’s been my rock. She’s a beautiful soul… she is the most wonderful woman,” he said. He’s frequently pictured indulging in PDAs with Anne-Marie, and has described her and her two daughters as his “greatest loves”.
Check out: Ant and Dec's complete career timeline
Ant and Dec career timeline
1 of 8And & 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.
2 of 8And & 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.
3 of 8And & Dec: Early career
Ant & Dec hosted SMTV and CD
4 of 8Ant & 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.
5 of 8Ant & 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.They have been hosting the show ever since, and are currently filming for the twelfth series of the show.
6 of 8Ant & 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.
7 of 8Ant & 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."
8 of 8Ant & 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 month after 11 years of marriage.
The former couple – who had been together for over 20 years, and married in 2006 – were finally granted their divorce earlier this year, after months of battling over custody of their dog Hurley. And now Lisa is thrilled she has finally found a man to move on with.
“There’s been a couple of guys Lisa has been involved with this year, and she’s tried to keep things under wraps while dating,” our source explains. “But James is someone who has passed every test, which is why she’s decided to go public with him – she’s told family and friends that she’s officially in love, and feels that he is ‘The One’.”
The source adds, “Everyone who knows Lisa just wanted her to find someone right for her, so she could get over the heartbreak of the last few years. She’s got to know James well and apparently they’ve talked about getting a dog together. Who knows if marriage could even be on the cards in future?”
Although she is well-known and her ex-husband is one of the most famous men in the country, Lisa loves the fact that James is so down to earth, and they have lots in common.
“A lot of her friends feel James is perfect for her, and Lisa will be keen to protect her ‘normal man’ from the crazy world of showbiz,” our insider says. “She doesn’t want to take him to glitzy events when everything reopens or start stepping out at every opportunity. This is just what Lisa wants and needs – a normal man who doesn’t have a big ego and is willing to be in an equal relationship. They’ve got so much in common as they’ve both been married before, and they both work in a particular trade. Yes, her career seems far more glamorous than that of an electrician, but Lisa thinks that what they do is quite similar. They have both worked hard at a skill and the reality of Lisa’s job is that it’s hard work, not just swanning around celebs.
“She is surprised at how well they’ve connected, there’s been massive sparks flying between them. He’s made her feel loved and safe, and put a big smile on her face.”
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