Inside Ant McPartlin's wife Anne-Marie's pregnancy - Lisa Armstrong 'olive branch' and lavish holiday
Ant McPartlin and his wife Anne-Marie are embarking on an exciting new chapter with their baby on the way.
While Ant continues to charm the nation on Britain's Got Talent, he's decided to take a breather from his usual presenting roles, including a temporary halt on Saturday Night Takeaway, to dedicate time to family life. He's already embracing his role as step-dad to Anne-Marie's two children from her previous relationship.
Sources suggest that Ant's ex-wife, Lisa Armstrong, has found peace after a period of healing and is supportive of Ant's newfound happiness. Before their divorce was finalised, Anne-Marie, who was Ant's personal assistant and a friend to Lisa, ended her own marriage and started a new life with the TV favourite.
The lovebirds exchanged vows in a romantic ceremony at St Michael's Church in Hampshire in August 2021. Ant has openly expressed his gratitude towards Anne-Marie, calling her "the fundamental reason for the great change in my life" after his 2018 drink-driving charge, reports the Mirror.
Speaking to The Sun, he gushed: "She's been my rock. She's a beautiful soul. We're very happy. I'm in the best place I've been in my life, to be honest with you. It's great."
Now, as they step out with Anne-Marie's growing bump proudly on display, we delve into her pregnancy glow-up, from idyllic vacations to heartwarming reconciliations....
Luxe holiday
The TV star, 48, and his wife Anne-Marie, 46, rang in the New Year with a lavish holiday in Dubai at the end of December 2023. This came after Ant spent several months in Australia co-hosting I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, while Anne-Marie cheered him on from home.
Photos obtained by Mail Online show the couple beaming as they hauled their suitcases into Heathrow Airport's terminal. Anne-Marie was spotted looking comfy in a flowing black dress, paired with a cream cardigan.
Upon their return from the long-haul flight, the pair were once again caught by the paparazzi. Anne-Marie, clad in a silk patterned outfit, was seen cradling her stomach.
The lovebirds, who were photographed hand-in-hand, seemed to be engrossed in a deep conversation at one point.
Earlier this month, the duo were seen enjoying a date night following the conclusion of Saturday Night Takeaway. Ant and Anne were out and about in London, reportedly catching a performance of the musical Cabaret at the Playhouse Theatre's Kit Kat Club.
Family focus
Ant opened up about the decision to take a break from his weekend gig alongside Dec, as co-host of Saturday Night Takeaway, in an interview with Flaunt magazine earlier this year. Asked what's in store next for the duo, he said: "A lot, we do the show and then Britain's Got Talent, but on a more personal level, part of the reason we're pausing Takeaway is we need a break ourselves, and we need to spend some time with our family.
"We've both got children that we need to spend time with for a little bit."
In the heart-to-heart, Ant confessed that the dynamic duo needs to "step back" to ponder their next moves and what lies ahead in their glittering careers. He hinted at needing to map out the "next phase" and admitted they have "lots of ideas" brewing.
Ant added that the pair have "lots of ideas" and opportunities available, with them looking into where the "next chapter begins". He said: "So that's what we're gonna do when Saturday Night Takeaway is out of the way." He teased that the duo will take some time to "re- evaluate everything" for the future.
It sounds like Ant and Dec are gearing up to dazzle us with their next big venture!
Lisa Armstrong's 'olive branch'
After Ant split from ex-wife Lisa Armstrong in 2018, following 11 years of marriage, his PA Anne-Marie was first seen at their house in March - famously taking out the bins. She also supported Ant during his drink-driving arrest that same month.
Insiders say Anne-Marie was a rock for Ant during his "lowest depths" and played a pivotal role in his recovery after his drink-driving conviction.
Yet, when Ant and Anne-Marie's romance went public in June, Lisa was publicly fuming, tweeting: "To think she was MY friend! " Ant later clarified to The Sun that neither he nor Anne-Marie were seeking love amidst their personal struggles, saying: "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".
Fast forward to now, six years post-split, and it seems Lisa is ready to bury the hatchet. A source told OK! that Lisa wants to let go of past bitterness. They said: "Lisa knows Ant is ready to move on with the next chapter of his life - she doesn't want to be angry anymore. She's done a lot of healing over the past few years and spent so much time being upset and angry about everything.
"It has been exhausting but she has done a lot of work on herself. It seems everyone is having a fresh start with the end of the show and Ant's new chapter in his life, so Lisa wants to make sure she's in a good place."
In a public display of her support, Lisa liked an Instagram post by her ex following his final Saturday Night Takeaway show. It read: "After 20 years this amazing show is coming to an end it's been a real joy and pleasure to have been there from the beginning, and in my 30-year career in showbiz I've worked with some brilliant people but these two are simply the best! Great friendships and memories made."
The source also told OK! that the move on social media is a 'signal' that she is willing to show support to her ex once again. They added: "Lisa feels she played an important part in their success - she was there from the very start when Ant and Dec first had the idea. Seeing the show come to an end brought back lots of happy memories.
"It also made her realise that she and Ant were really happy and she now doesn't want her marriage to him tarnished. Lisa loved him so much and now she just wants everyone to be happy, Ant included."
