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).
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: Ant McPartlin and Lisa Armstrong
1 of 12Ant & 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.
2 of 12Ant & 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
3 of 12Ant & 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!
4 of 12Ant & Lisa 2005
Ant proposed to Lisa while on holiday in Dubai on April 26 2005. They looked SO loved up.
5 of 12Ant & 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)
6 of 12Ant & 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?
7 of 12Ant & 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.
8 of 12Ant & 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?
9 of 12Ant & Lisa 2016
In some of the last photos of the pair together, were cracks starting to appear?
10 of 12Ant & 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.
11 of 12Ant & 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.
12 of 12Ant & 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.
Read more:
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.