Ant McPartlin’s ex Lisa Armstrong ‘desperate for divorce but fears it gives green light to propose to Anne-Marie’
LISA Armstrong is thought to be "desperate" to settle her divorce from Ant McPartlin.
Contrary to reports, the battle isn't over the pair's £62million fortune, but Lisa doesn't want to be "dictated by his schedule", according to Closer magazine.
Sources close to the make-up artist told Closer: "Lisa is desperate to move on and wants to reach a settlement, but she won't be dictated by his schedule."
The sources added: "Lisa's friends wouldn't be surprised if she is nervous that, by agreeing on a settlement, it will give him the green light to pop the question to Anne-Marie".
"Understandably she's been hurt by him moving on so quickly.
"She may be refusing to give him the satisfaction of 'living his best life' during I'm A Celeb.
Anne-Marie has joined Ant in Australia as he prepares for I'm A Celeb.
Sources said he was determined to return for the 19th series but insisted on 43-year-old Anne-Marie joining him as she is his "sober coach".
A source said: “Ant’s thrilled that she will be with him. She is vital to his recovery and a month away from her would have had a detrimental impact on his mental health.”
Lisa, the head make-up and hair artist on Strictly, married Ant in 2006 following over a decade together.
Anne-Marie was Ant and Lisa's personal assistant before they split.
She has been employed by the same London-based management company as Ali Astall, Dec Donnelly’s wife, for ten years but only began working closely with Ant in 2017.
Anne-Marie separated from her husband Scott in October 2017.
Sources stressed Ant, who announced he was divorcing Lisa in January last year, was not linked in any way to Anne-Marie’s marriage break-up.
Earlier this week, Lisa hinted she'll "wipe the smug smile off his face" in court amid their divorce battle.
Lisa, 43, logged into Twitter after photos emerged of Ant and Anne-Marie on a double date in Australia with Dec and wife Ali.
The foursome looked in high spirits and Ant couldn't stop smiling as he escorted his missus around town.
His ex-wife's fans seemingly spotted The Sun's photos and Lisa made her feelings known when she liked a strongly-worded message from a fan.
The tweet said: "I think Ant should enjoy his time in the jungle before @lisaAmakeup gets him in the courtroom and wipes the smug smile off his face."
Lisa then responded to a user after it was revealed she had rejected Ant's divorce settlement offer, worth half their £62m fortune.
They wrote: "How can 31million not be enough for you? It's enough for me and my family put together for life."
Lisa typed back: "Don't believe the lies #justsaying."
The had claimed Lisa rejected the offer because she wants to "have her day in court", feels he's "got away with a lot" and is not concerned with the money.
Last week The Sun revealed how Lisa was refusing to sign a Non Disclosure Agreement over their marriage and the battle had already cost legal fees of more than a million.
They must also come to an agreement over custody of their beloved five-year-old chocolate Labrador, Hurley, who spends alternate weekends with the former couple.
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Lisa is currently living in the £6 million former marital home in Chiswick.
Ant has since moved into a £6million home in nearby Wimbledon with Anne-Marie Corbett and her two children.
The Sun has contacted reps for Lisa for comment.