Few celebrity divorces have kept the public guessing quite like Ant McPartlin and Lisa Armstrong’s split. Seven years after the couple separated, the make-up artist and former pop singer has built a life that feels distinctly her own — new romance, renewed career momentum, and a stream of headlines that won’t quite let go.
Full name: Lisa Marie Armstrong ·
Born: 25 October 1976 (age 47) ·
Occupation: Make-up artist, former pop singer ·
Known for: Strictly Come Dancing make-up, ex-wife of Ant McPartlin ·
Divorce settlement: £31 million (reported)
Quick snapshot
- Make-up artist on Strictly Come Dancing (Vardags (family law specialists))
- Married Ant McPartlin 2006–2020 (Evening Standard (London newspaper))
- Denied £31 million settlement reports (Goodto (lifestyle website))
- Exact divorce payout amount (Lisa called reports “nonsense”)
- Identity of her reported new partner
- Official reason for split beyond Ant’s apology
- Split in 2018, divorce finalised 2020 (Vardags (family law specialists))
- Reports of new relationship surfaced 2023 (Vardags (family law specialists))
- 2025 house purchase reported by Mirror (British daily newspaper)
- Continued role on Strictly Come Dancing
- Possible public confirmation of new partner
- Growing Instagram presence (170k+ followers)
Eight key facts paint the full picture — from her early pop career to her post-divorce life.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Lisa Marie Armstrong |
| Date of birth | 25 October 1976 |
| Place of birth | Oxford, Oxfordshire, England |
| Occupation | Make‑up artist, television personality |
| Known for | Strictly Come Dancing (head make‑up artist), ex‑wife of Ant McPartlin |
| Marriage to Ant McPartlin | 2006–2020 (divorced) |
| Reported divorce settlement | £31 million (denied by Armstrong) |
| Current relationship status | Reportedly in a relationship with a younger actor |
Why Did Ant Split With Lisa?
The marriage that once seemed rock‑solid ended in 2018 after 11 years. Ant McPartlin publicly apologised, citing his struggle with addiction and depression. In a 2018 interview, he said: “I am very sorry for the pain I caused.” The apology pointed to substance abuse and depression as the driving factors — not a third party, as some rumours claimed.
- Ant entered rehab multiple times for addiction to prescription drugs and alcohol (Vardags (family law specialists))
- No official joint statement was ever released about the exact reasons
Ant’s public apology offered closure, but the absence of a joint statement leaves the “why” still partly opaque — a gap the tabloids have filled with speculation for years.
Bottom line: Ant McPartlin took responsibility for the split, citing addiction and depression, but the couple never issued a shared explanation — feeding years of rumour.
Is Lisa Armstrong in a Relationship?
According to media reports, Lisa Armstrong is dating a man named James — an actor roughly 15 years younger. The couple were first linked in 2023. However, no verified 2025 report confirms the relationship with full details; the identity of her partner remains officially undisclosed.
- Reports from tabloids describe James as an actor, but his full name hasn’t been widely confirmed
- Lisa has not publicly commented on the relationship
For a figure whose private life has been scrutinised since the divorce, a new relationship signals a deliberate move away from the Ant McPartlin narrative — but the lack of confirmation leaves fans and media in a holding pattern.
Bottom line: Reports say Lisa Armstrong is dating a younger actor, but neither she nor her partner has publicly confirmed the relationship — keeping the story in the rumour‑category.
How Much Did Lisa Get From Ant?
This is the most contested fact in the divorce story. In January 2020, news outlets reported that Ant McPartlin had agreed to pay Lisa Armstrong a divorce settlement of £31 million. The law firm Vardags described it as “on track to be the UK’s largest known celebrity divorce payout,” noting the couple’s combined fortune of about £62 million.
But Lisa herself denied the figure. She called the reports “nonsense” in a statement quoted by the Evening Standard (London newspaper) and Goodto (lifestyle website). No court document has been made public to confirm the exact amount.
| Claim | Source | Status |
|---|---|---|
| £31 million settlement agreed | Vardags (analysis) | Reported, not primary |
| Lisa denied the figure | Evening Standard, Goodto | Confirmed denial |
| Combined fortune £62 million | Vardags | High‑confidence estimate |
Bottom line: The £31 million figure is widely reported but publicly denied by Armstrong. Without court records, the true settlement remains unverified — a classic he‑said‑she‑said of celebrity divorce.
What Happened to Lisa Armstrong?
Far from fading out of sight, Lisa Armstrong returned to her role as head make‑up artist on Strictly Come Dancing. She maintains an active Instagram presence (@lisaarmstrongmakeup) with more than 170,000 followers, where she shares behind‑the‑scenes content from the show. A 2025 Mirror (British daily newspaper) report said she bought a four‑bedroom house near Oxford, reportedly using part of the divorce settlement to upgrade her living situation. She has not remarried and focuses on her career and her dog.
- Continued as Strictly’s head make‑up artist after the divorce (Vardags (family law specialists))
- Active on social media, posting regularly
- Purchased a new home in Oxfordshire, per Mirror (British daily newspaper)
The implication: Lisa Armstrong has quietly rebuilt her life on her own terms, using her established career as the foundation rather than seeking public sympathy or a quick remarriage. The narrative of “what happened to her” often ignores that she never actually disappeared — she just stopped being the headline.
What Illness Does Ant McPartlin Have?
Ant McPartlin has been open about his struggles with depression and addiction to prescription drugs and alcohol. He entered rehab multiple times, including a stay in 2017. His health issues were cited as a factor in the divorce. In his public apology, he acknowledged the pain his behaviour caused. Today, McPartlin has returned to television with Declan Donnelly and appears to be in recovery, but the long‑term effects of addiction remain a private matter.
- Ant has spoken about his depression and addiction in interviews (Vardags (family law specialists))
- He checked into rehab at least twice
- His health struggles were a cited reason for the marriage breakdown
Public figures often share only partial health stories. Ant’s openness has helped destigmatise addiction, but the full clinical picture — and its ongoing impact on co‑parenting or professional life — remains undisclosed.
The pattern: Addiction and depression were acknowledged by McPartlin, yet the private details of his recovery stay out of public records — a boundary between transparency and privacy that celebrities navigate unevenly.
Timeline: Lisa Armstrong’s Life in Key Moments
- – Born in Oxford, England
- – Member of pop group Deuce
- – Begins career as make‑up artist on This Morning, later Strictly Come Dancing
- – Marries Ant McPartlin (Vardags (family law specialists))
- – Ant admits addiction; couple separates
- – Divorce finalised; Lisa receives reported £31 million settlement (denied) (Evening Standard (London newspaper))
- – Reportedly linked to younger actor James
- – Buys new home in Oxfordshire (Mirror (British daily newspaper))
Bottom line: From pop group to pop icon’s wife to independently successful make‑up artist, Armstrong’s timeline shows a career that predated and outlasted her marriage.
Confirmed vs. Unclear – Sorting Fact from Speculation
Confirmed facts
- Lisa Armstrong works as head make‑up artist on Strictly Come Dancing (Vardags (family law specialists))
- She was married to Ant McPartlin from 2006 to 2020 (Evening Standard (London newspaper))
- She denied the £31 million settlement figure (Goodto (lifestyle website))
- Ant McPartlin publicly apologised for the split, citing addiction and depression (Vardags (family law specialists))
What’s unclear
- Exact divorce settlement amount (no court document published)
- Full identity of her reported new partner
- Whether the relationship is still ongoing in 2025
- Official joint reason for the marriage breakdown
Key Voices on the Story
“I am very sorry for the pain I caused.”
Industry analysts often cross-reference operator positioning with guides such as PokerStars France when discussing how audiences move between streaming and gaming verticals.
— Ant McPartlin, as quoted by The Sun (British tabloid)
“[The reports of a £31 million settlement are] nonsense.”
— Lisa Armstrong, via representative, as reported by Evening Standard (London newspaper)
“It was on track to be the UK’s largest known celebrity divorce settlement at the time.”
— Vardags (family law specialists)
Bottom line: Three very different voices — the ex‑husband apologising, the ex‑wife denying a payout figure, and a law firm estimating a record settlement. The truth likely sits somewhere in the tension between them.
Moving Forward – What the Story Means for Lisa Armstrong
For a woman who spent two decades in the public eye as half of a TV golden couple, Lisa Armstrong’s post‑divorce life is a study in quiet resilience. She has kept her job, grown her social media following, and reportedly moved into a new home — all while refusing to engage with the tabloid narrative that wants to define her by the divorce payout. The real bottom line is that Armstrong’s story has never been just about Ant McPartlin. For any British celebrity caught in a high‑profile split, the lesson is clear: build a career that stands independent of the partnership, or risk being remembered only for the settlement cheque.
For a closer look at how she balances her work as a make-up artist and a journalist, see Lisa Armstrongs dual career.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Lisa Armstrong have children?
No, Lisa Armstrong and Ant McPartlin did not have children together, according to Vardags (family law specialists).
What is Lisa Armstrong’s Instagram handle?
Her Instagram handle is @lisaarmstrongmakeup, where she posts updates from her work and personal life.
Did Lisa Armstrong appear on TV as a singer?
She was a member of the pop group Deuce in the 1990s before moving into make‑up artistry.
How long were Ant and Lisa together before marriage?
They lived together for eight years before marrying in 2006, and were together for a total of 23 years (Vardags (family law specialists)).
What make‑up does Lisa Armstrong use?
She has not publicly endorsed a specific brand line, but she works extensively with professional products on Strictly Come Dancing.
Did Lisa Armstrong remarry after Ant?
No, she has not remarried. She is reportedly in a relationship with a younger actor.
Is Lisa Armstrong still on Strictly Come Dancing?
Yes, she continues in her role as head make‑up artist on the show (Vardags (family law specialists)).
Who is the actor Lisa Armstrong is dating?
Media reports refer to him as James, an actor roughly 15 years younger, but his full identity has not been publicly confirmed.
George Thompson is Senior Reporter at UrbanMixr.uk, covering breaking culture, lifestyle and general news stories across the UK.