Ant McPartlin, who first graced our screens in 1989 as PJ in the Geordie teen drama, Byker Grove, has become a huge household name.
Alongside his best mate, Declan Donnelly, he’s hosted numerous shows, including I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! which is back on our screens for its 23rd series.
The dynamic duo of Ant and Dec have bagged the Best Presenter award an impressive 22 times at the National Television Awards, with Ant saying they’ll only stop hosting when the ‘viewers want them to’.
As Ant, now married to Anne-Marie Corbett following a tough divorce with ex-wife, Lisa Armstrong, celebrated his 48th birthday this month under the Australian sun, we take a look back at his time in the limelight…
Alongside his best mate, Declan Donnelly, Ant McPartlin’s hosted numerous shows, including I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!
(Image: No credit)
Heartbreaking divorce
Make-up artist Lisa and Ant were happily together for 23 years after tying the knot in 2006 at a grand party surrounded by loved ones. However, in 2017, they announced their split before finalising their divorce in a quick 30-second hearing.
The entertainment world was stunned to learn the marriage hadn’t lasted following Ant’s stint in rehab, despite Lisa standing by him during his struggle with addiction. Eight months after the then 43 year old TV host left rehab in 2017, he announced in a harsh statement that it was all over, leaving Lisa, then 42, devastated.
Make-up artist Lisa and Ant were happily together for 23 years
(Image: Dave Hogan/Getty Images)
Ant decided to take “some space” away from their £6million marital home. A representative shared at the time: “In response to the recent speculation in the media, Ant is very sad to announce that, after eleven 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.”
The couple hadn’t spoken since Ant’s announcement, but they had an argument just hours before Ant’s car accident in Richmond, south London, thought to be about who would look after their chocolate Labrador Hurley. He was fined £86k and banned from the wheel after admitting to drink-driving.
Lisa Armstrong and Ant McPartlin share dog Hurley
(Image: Lisa Armstrong/Instagram)
A friend close to Ant said that deciding who would look after Hurley was a big issue during the divorce. Their lawyers were trying to work out how to split their £62million assets – including their house, jewellery and artwork.
In the end, Lisa got their £5m house in Chiswick, West London, which she now rents out. She also got some of her ex’s money, which was thought to be up to £31m.
Secret tattoo
Ant surprised fans with a new tattoo on his right forearm during the I’m A22nd series last year. The eye-catching design is a replica of the floor mosaic in New York’s Central Park’s Strawberry Fields area, a tribute to Beatles legend John Lennon.
The mosaic and Ant’s tattoo, features the word Imagine surrounded by an intricate spiral mosaic circle. It carries a hidden message of hope for a world free from conflict or war – a sentiment that feels especially relevant given the current Israel – Hammas conflict.
Ant surprised fans with a new tattoo on his right forearm during the I’m A Celeb’s 22nd series last year
(Image: No credit)
Ant has three small tattoos near his left wrist, although it’s unclear what they stand for
(Image: ITV)
But this isn’t Ant’s only tattoo. The Let’s Get Ready To Rumble star also has an arrow tattoo on his right forearm and a rose on his left, both of which were visible during the filming of the 2019 series of I’m A Celebrity.
While Ant hasn’t shared the meaning behind these tattoos, he did say that the arrow holds a “personal meaning, but it’s very positive”. Fans speculate that the arrow might symbolise Ant’s dedication to staying sober after his drink-driving incident.
In addition to these, Ant has the Alcoholics Anonymous symbol tattooed on his left wrist, a reminder of his time in rehab. He also has a tribute to his wife Anne-Marie inked on his chest, featuring a heart with a circle and the letter A.
Finding love with ‘rock’ Anne-Marie
After his marriage to Lisa ended, Ant started dating Anne-Marie, who used to be his assistant and worked at the same management company as Dec’s wife, Ali Astall, for ten years.
Anne-Marie had separated from her husband, the father of her two children, in 2020, just a few months before Ant’s divorce was finalised. She was first spotted at Ant’s house in March that year – taking out the bins – and when Ant was arrested for drink driving the same month, she went with him to the police station.
After his marriage to Lisa ended, Ant started dating Anne-Marie
(Image: Getty Images)
Sources say that Anne-Marie, a mum-of-two, stood by Ant during his “lowest depths” and her constant support helped him recover after he was convicted of drink-driving. However, when their relationship became public in June, Ant’s ex Lisa wasn’t pleased and tweeted: “To think she was MY friend!”
Later, in an interview with The Sun, Ant said that neither he nor Anne-Marie were looking for love when they grew closer. The star said: “We were going through turmoil. It was the last thing on either of our minds to get into a relationship. But there we were like ‘This felt so good, why deny it”.’
The couple started renting a six-bedroom home in 2018, before moving into their own place the following year. Ant proposed to Anne-Marie on Christmas Eve 2020 and they got married in 2021, with Dec being his best man – again.
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