ANT McPartlin’s ex Lisa Armstrong has revealed how his new girlfriend is actually her MATE.
The Sun exclusively revealed how the troubled TV presenter, 42, has begun a romance with his personal assistant Anne-Marie Corbett.
Lisa has now said Anne-Marie was her pal before she started a relationship with her estranged husband.
The big revelation came when Nicola McLean tweeted: “Sending my love Lisa!! Really feel for you worst pain ever x”
In response, Lisa said: “Thanks babe and to think she was MY friend!! xx”
She added that Anne-Marie was PA to both her and Ant and added: “Yeah My friend and OUR Pa who I let into OUR home.”
Lisa also revealed she only found out about the news after reading it in The Sun.
In May 2017, Lisa shared a snap of herself with a woman believed to be Anne-Marie.
Alongside a picture of the pair wearing super-imposed pinks hats and sunglasses, she wrote: “Just hanging with my homie!! !!”
However, when one of her followers asked her earlier today if Ant had broken the news to her, she tweeted: “Nope. Just [found out] how you guys did x 💔”
She went on to lash out at Ant for failing to break the news to her himself.
One fan tweeted: “I hope he has had the decency to contact you today.”
Lisa replied simply: “Nope.”
Sources revealed how their relationship blossomed as she supported him through drink and drug problems.
The news has now left his estranged wife Lisa devastated.
Upon hearing the news the make-up artist responded by tweeting a series of heartbroken emojis.
Meanwhile, reports Lisa may be even more upset to find out that Anne-Marie, 42, has her two young children with ex-husband Scott, who she split from in October 2017.
Lisa and Ant spent years trying for a baby but they were never able to have a family of their own.
Her followers immediately reached out to her with one saying: “Let yourself repair… you have been a woman with dignity and grace.. sending you much love xxx”.
While this one commented: “Morning Lisa, read it this morning & instantly thought of you. Hold your head up high, you’ve done amazing throughout everything😘”
Another said: “Sending you love and hugs 🤗 . Keep strong”
Lisa liked a number of the replies, to show her appreciation for their kind words.
The Sun exclusively revealed how mum-of-two Anne-Marie, 42, stood by Ant — who is divorcing Lisa — during his drink-driving crash shame.
A source said: “Anne-Marie’s put him back together again. Everyone’s thrilled he’s found someone to love.”
She was pictured walking Ant’s dog with him in The Sun on Sunday in April after he left rehab.
One told The Sun on Sunday: “He’s had a tough time of it, but Anne-Marie has put a smile back on his face again. She has been his rock.
“They have been living in each other’s pockets, day in, day out.
“Knowing someone is there for him has brought him back from the brink — she’s put him back together again.
“It’s very early days, but everyone is hoping he can put the worst year of his life behind him and find happiness again. Both of them deserve it.”
In a show of support and commitment, Anne-Marie was with Ant when he was taken to a police station after his arrest for drink-driving in March — and again when he appeared in court.
The I’m A Celebrity presenter was fined £86,000 and given a 20-month road ban.
Anne-Marie has been on hand any time he feels he needs help to overcome any urges to drink.
She separated from her husband Scott last October. They have two children.
Sources stressed Ant was not linked in any way to her marriage break-up.
In January this year, Ant announced he was divorcing Lisa after 11 years of marriage.
They have been having legal discussions but there have been no divorce hearings in court so far.
Ant’s new relationship echoes that of his devoted TV partner Declan Donnelly.
Dec, 42, is expecting his first child with wife Ali Astall in September.
They had also worked together. Ali was Dec and Ant’s manager.
Anne-Marie has been employed by the same London-based management company as Ali for ten years but only recently began working closely with Ant.
The source added: “She’s been at his side for this whole ordeal, often when everyone else has gone away.
“His lowest moment was when the drink-drive case judge said he had lost his good character, but Anne-Marie stayed supporting him.
“She has worked with him for a while as his PA and things have always been strictly professional.
“But recently something changed and they started becoming more than just friends.
“Both of them are single so they decided to try and see whether something could happen.
“They haven’t actually been on any official dates but they’ve been seen together, with Ant always beaming from ear to ear. They don’t live together, but have been living out of each other’s pockets.
“Since he has come out of rehab, Ant can’t really go out socialising, to restaurants or anything like that.
“It means he has spent an awful lot of time with her and has realised she’s the one for him.”
The pair have been seen together as early as March this year when she sent him off to work with a packed lunch. They were spotted again this month enjoying a shopping trip at Harrods, with Ant looking healthy and happy.
Ant has had to take time out from television to rebuild his life following his drink-drive shame and a spell in rehab.
He gave his blessing to partner Dec to present their Saturday Night Takeaway show alone. Dec went on to host the live finals of Britain’s Got Talent without him.
Ant had previously entered rehab last summer for drug addiction after getting hooked on super-strong painkillers.
He exclusively told The Sun on Sunday how he got into the pills after a botched op on his knee in 2015 left him in agony.
Ant’s new romance and recovery could mean he is ready to step back into the limelight.
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The insider added: “Anne-Marie has given Ant a whole new outlook. He’s done so well since they got together romantically.
“Everyone knows he has ruled out TV work for now, but there’s a possibility after summer he could decide to return to I’m A Celeb.
“That’s how far things have changed — all thanks to Anne- Marie.” Last night a spokesman for Ant declined to comment.
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