Lisa Armstrong Breaks Silence on Relationship with Anthony McPartlin Amid Pregnancy Rumors: A Surprising Detail Divides Fans

Lisa Armstrong, the renowned makeup artist and former wife of television icon Anthony McPartlin, has finally spoken out about her current relationship with her ex-husband, sparking a wave of intrigue and debate among fans. The 48-year-old, known for her work on Strictly Come Dancing, made headlines in April 2025 with a candid interview that addressed her dynamic with McPartlin, 49, amid swirling rumors of her own pregnancy. A surprising detail in her statement—her decision to maintain a cordial connection with McPartlin for the sake of their shared dog, Hurley—has split fans into two camps: those who applaud her maturity and those who question her motives. Shared across platforms like X and reported by outlets such as The Mirror and OK! Magazine, Armstrong’s words offer a rare glimpse into her healing journey, motherhood aspirations, and a past that continues to captivate the public.

Armstrong and McPartlin’s story is one of love, loss, and public scrutiny. The couple, who met in the 1990s as young entertainers, were married for 11 years, from 2006 to 2018, after a 12-year relationship. Their bond weathered McPartlin’s rise to fame as half of Ant and Dec, alongside his struggles with prescription drug addiction and alcohol, which led to a 2017 rehab stint and a 2018 drink-driving incident. Armstrong stood by him through much of this, but the marriage crumbled under the strain, exacerbated by McPartlin’s relationship with their former personal assistant, Anne-Marie Corbett. The 2018 divorce, finalized with a reported £31 million settlement, left Armstrong with their £2.3 million Chiswick mansion and custody disputes over their chocolate Labrador, Hurley. The fallout was messy, with Armstrong’s cryptic social media posts about “betrayal” and “toxic exes” fueling tabloid coverage.

Now, seven years later, Armstrong’s interview, excerpted in The Mirror, reveals a softened stance. Speaking from her west London home—recently taken off the market after failing to sell for £4 million—she addressed her current relationship with McPartlin. “We don’t talk often, but we’re civil, mostly because of Hurley,” she said. “He’s our boy, and we both love him. It’s not about us anymore; it’s about what’s best for him.” This detail—that their shared custody of Hurley, now 12, is the primary thread connecting them—has stunned fans. For some, it’s a heartwarming sign of closure; for others, it’s a puzzling choice given their fraught history.

The pregnancy rumors add another layer of complexity. Speculation began in March 2025 when Armstrong was spotted in London with a noticeable bump, prompting posts on X like, “Is Lisa Armstrong expecting? She’s glowing!” Sources close to her, cited by OK! Magazine, suggest she’s in a new relationship with a private partner, described as a “supportive non-celebrity” who prefers to stay out of the spotlight. While Armstrong didn’t confirm the pregnancy in her interview, she hinted at motherhood, saying, “I’ve always wanted to be a mum. If that’s happening now, it’s a blessing.” Fans are divided on this, too: one camp celebrates her potential new chapter, while others speculate she’s using the rumors to overshadow McPartlin’s happiness with Corbett and their son, Wilder, born in May 2024.

The Hurley detail has become a lightning rod. On X, supporters praise Armstrong’s pragmatism. “Lisa keeping things civil for their dog is class,” one user wrote. “She’s moved on but still respects what they had.” Hurley, often photographed with Armstrong on walks or featured in her Instagram stories, is a symbol of their past life together. The arrangement—where McPartlin reportedly sees Hurley during visits from his Wimbledon home with Corbett—shows a level of coordination that surprises those aware of their bitter divorce. In 2019, Armstrong’s friends told The Sun she felt “hurt” by McPartlin’s insistence on shared custody, making her current stance a notable shift.

Conversely, skeptics on X question her intentions. “Why hold onto Hurley with Ant? Feels like Lisa’s keeping a tie to him,” one post read. Some see her openness as a calculated move, timed to coincide with McPartlin’s recent property purchase near Declan Donnelly’s home, rumored to signal family expansion with Corbett. Armstrong’s past social media jabs, including a 2024 post about “loser exes,” lend credence to this view, suggesting unresolved feelings. Her decision to speak now, after years of relative silence, has led to accusations of seeking attention, especially as she navigates a rumored pregnancy. “Lisa’s playing the victim card again,” another X user claimed, highlighting the polarized fanbase.

Armstrong’s interview also reflects her personal growth. She’s thriving professionally, with Strictly Come Dancing colleagues praising her “genius” makeup artistry, and personally, as seen in her radiant appearances at London events. Her comments about McPartlin are measured, avoiding the venom of earlier years. “I wish him well,” she said, acknowledging his new life with Corbett and Wilder. “We’ve both moved forward. That’s life.” This olive branch, however small, aligns with recent reports of a thawing dynamic, such as her liking McPartlin’s Instagram post in August 2024. Yet, the pregnancy rumors add a twist, with fans wondering if her new chapter is a deliberate contrast to McPartlin’s.

The divided fan reaction underscores the complexity of their story. Supporters see Armstrong as a woman reclaiming her narrative, turning pain into purpose. Her potential motherhood, whether confirmed or not, is viewed as a triumph after years of supporting McPartlin through his struggles. “Lisa deserves this happiness,” one X post declared. “She’s not defined by Ant anymore.” Critics, however, argue she’s leveraging her past for relevance, pointing to her timing and the Hurley detail as strategic. “Lisa’s always got drama when Ant’s in the news,” a detractor tweeted.

Critically, Armstrong’s openness challenges the binary of hero and villain in celebrity splits. Her willingness to maintain a connection through Hurley, however minimal, suggests a pragmatic approach to coexisting with a past that shaped her. The pregnancy rumors, if true, mark a bold step forward, untethered from McPartlin’s shadow. Yet, the divided fanbase reflects a broader truth: public figures’ personal lives are rarely seen objectively, colored instead by loyalty and projection.

As Armstrong navigates this new phase, her words carry weight. Whether she’s pregnant or simply reclaiming her voice, her focus on Hurley and civility with McPartlin reveals a woman who’s learned to balance love, loss, and moving on. Fans may remain split, but one thing is clear: Lisa Armstrong is writing her own story now, and it’s one of resilience, surprises, and a dog who still binds two lives together.