Lisa Armstrong grows close to photographer Ben Benjilali

He used to pap her, now he’s in the inner circle

Lisa Armstrong

by Charlotte Oliver |
Updated on

We love an unlikely friendship, so we have high hopes for Lisa Armstrong and her new BFF, who just happens to be a paparazzi photographer.

According to insiders, the make-up artist has become close to Ben Benjilali – who used to take pictures of both her and her ex-husband Ant McPartlin for the tabloids. Luckily for Lisa, Ben seems to have stepped away from his snap-happy day job and now devotes his energy to designing some rather funky face masks (some of which Lisa’s been modelling on her Instagram page).

Lisa Armstrong
©Getty

So, she’s got someone on standby who keeps her Covid-safe and knows his way around a camera to give her some excellent Instagram content. What more could you need in a bestie?

“This friendship has certainly raised a few eyebrows in the showbiz world,” an insider said last week. “It wasn’t so long ago that Ben was taking pictures of Lisa and Ant.”

It’s no secret that Lisa has had a very difficult last couple of years, following her separation from Ant in 2018 after 23 years together, and their subsequent, lengthy divorce battle. They were finally granted their decree absolute in April, allowing them both to move on for good.

Check out: Lisa Armstrong and Ant McParlin's ups and downs

Gallery

GALLERY: Ant McPartlin and Lisa Armstrong

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CREDIT: shutterstock

Ant & Lisa 1998

Ant McPartlin and Lisa Armstrong met at a pop concert at Newcastle City Hall in 1994. In one of their VERY early red carpet appearances, Ant and Lisa are super young and sweet with their pals Dec Donnelley and his girlfriend Claire Buckfield.

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CREDIT: shutterstock

Ant & Lisa 2001

As Ant and Dec's career started to soar, Lisa and Claire joined their boyfriends on the red carpet of the National Television Awards. They were pretty much the original #squadgoals

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CREDIT: shutterstock

Ant & Lisa 2002

Ant and Lisa looked carefree as they were papped out and about in Australia while Ant filmed I'm A Celebrity. Check out those painfully noughties outfits too!

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CREDIT: shutterstock

Ant & Lisa 2005

Ant proposed to Lisa while on holiday in Dubai on April 26 2005. They looked SO loved up.

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CREDIT: shutterstock

Ant & Lisa 2006

Lisa and Ant were the very picture of happiness when they married on July 22 2006, in Taplow, Buckinghamshire. Guests included Philip Schofield and Nicky Clarke. Dec didn't turn up... (ONLY JOKING, OBVS)

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CREDIT: shutterstock

Ant & Lisa 2010

Ant and Lisa celebrated Valentine's Day with a trip to the theatre. Do we need to say who joined them on date night?

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CREDIT: shutterstock

Ant & Lisa 2015

It was best mate Dec's turn to get married (to Ali Astal), and Ant and Lisa clearly looked chuffed for their friend's romance.

ant McPartlin and Lisa Armstrong8 of 12
CREDIT: shutterstock

Ant & Lisa 2016

The squad look all grown up and sophisticated at (yet another) NTA ceremony. Who would have thought that trouble was just around the corner?

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CREDIT: shutterstock

Ant & Lisa 2016

In some of the last photos of the pair together, were cracks starting to appear?

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CREDIT: shutterstock

Ant & Lisa 2018

Ant released a statement saying that he and Lisa were separating in January 2018. A couple of months later, he was charged with diving while under the influence of alcohol.

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CREDIT: shutterstock

Ant & Lisa 2018

Lisa is living her best life as a makeup artist on Strictly Come Dancing, and she has shared photos of a sizzling hot new look.

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CREDIT: shutterstock

Ant & Lisa 2018

Ant has been pictured looking happy and healthy after a stint in rehab. He is also dating personal assistant Anne-Marie Corbett.

And while Ant’s been vocal about his love for his girlfriend of two years, Anne-Marie Corbett, who he calls his “rock”, Lisa’s kept fans guessing about her dating life, instead focusing on her high-flying career as an in-demand TV make-up artist.

But, as heat has told you, the 43 year old has been keen to expand her dating and social horizons, and has even joined celebrity dating app Raya. But she’s not desperate to immediately settle down again, and is instead enjoying making new friends and planning some big blow-out holidays in the near future.

heat magazine cover
Read more in the latest issue of heat magazine - OUT NOW ©Bauer Media

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Last week, Ant and his TV partner Declan Donnelly announced they were taking a break from social media for a month “to spend time with family and friends” – shortly before Ant was pictured flying out of the UK with Anne-Marie and her two daughters.

Insiders say Lisa’s been making every effort to focus on her own happiness and future now, keeping busy with work and surrounding herself with old and new friends. And if they take great pics and design fashionable facewear, then all the better.

Read more in the latest issue of heat magazine - OUT NOW. Find out how to get hold of your copy at home here.

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