THERE’S been one constant in Lisa Armstrong’s life since her messy split from ex-husband Ant McPartlin: Hurley, their chocolate Labrador.
The beloved pooch, who the former couple share custody of, has been a source of much-needed comfort following the high-profile separation.
Now more than ever, Lisa, 47, needs the reliable familiarity of 10-year-old Hurley following the arrival of Ant’s first child and is craving custody while he raises his baby.
The Britain’s Got Talent star, 48, announced his son Wilder Patrick McPartlin to the world this week in an Instagram post praising his wife Anne-Marie Corbett, 46, who was once his personal assistant.
While the birth was inevitable following Anne-Marie’s pregnancy, it still hit Lisa hard, with an insider describing her as “heartbroken”.
Now, a source has told The Sun: “Lisa is really struggling with the news, she knew it was coming and had geared herself up for it but it still hit hard when she saw it.
“She felt very betrayed by both Ant and Anne-Marie and felt that none of this has been handled sensitively, especially the announcement of the baby. She’s really been through it all in the past seven years and sometimes she amazes herself how strong she’s been.
“But the one thing that has got her through it and been by her side constantly is Hurley – she doesn’t know what she would do without him. He’s more than just a dog to her and has been a lifeline at times.”
Hurley often features on Lisa’s social media account with her calling him “beautiful” and “mama’s baby boy”.
Unlike her romantic relationships, Hurley has never let her down and can’t put a foot wrong, even when he’s being stubborn on walks.
He was there for her following her split from electrician James Green last autumn when he was abruptly sent packing from her £4 million London mansion, which Lisa is now trying to sell.
And he helped rebuild her confidence in the aftermath at a time when Lisa vowed to “never be hurt again”.
The fact she’s had to battle to keep him in her life at all is a sore point for Lisa, who feels the least Ant can do is grant her full custody given his own thriving personal life.
However, Ant made his stance clear in the past when he reportedly instructed lawyers: “She can have anything she wants – except the dog.”
The source explained: “She really had to fight Ant for him, which she still is annoyed about as he got other dogs with Anne-Marie and now she would just like Hurley to live with her full-time.
“Ant obviously loves Hurley as well but he now has a lot of other responsibilities and things going on in his life and Lisa can’t see why she can’t have full custody of him.
“She’s very vulnerable at the moment and knows that the excitement and publicity over Ant and the baby is going to go into overdrive and he won’t be able to stop talking about being a dad and she finds a lot of comfort in Hurley.
“At the moment she has escaped on a holiday to get away from it all but that’s only temporary and when she gets back reality will really hit and as well as her friends and family, she needs Hurley by her side.”
During her relationship with Ant, Lisa envisioned starting a family of their own and stuck by Ant through his various struggles.
The TV presenter told The Sun eight years ago, when they were still together, that children were on the horizon.
He said: “In five years’ time, I definitely see kids and all that in my life.”
In another interview, he said: “Lisa and I would love to have kids. We’re trying. It’s tougher than you think when you get a bit older. We’ve been trying for a little while so fingers crossed.”
He’s more than just a dog to her and has been a lifeline at times.
Lisa loyally supported Ant during his battle with depression and severe mood swings as well as a rehab stint following his drink drive charge.
In 2017, he said: “This kind of stuff puts strains on any marriage. All I can say at the moment is that she’s been amazing — fantastic throughout.”
But the following year, their 23 year relationship came to an end and they divorced.
Lisa is now said to be ‘tormented’ by Ant’s public jubilation after he realised a dream they once shared.
To make things even more painful, he revealed a new tattoo tribute to Anne-Marie and her daughters Daisy and Poppy, who he is step-dad too, with the birth announcement.
The family tree inking on his upper arm, features all of their names as well as the family dogs Bumble and Milo.
Hurley’s name is missing, even though he is often with them all, and an insider told us: “For their beloved Hurley, who turns 11 next month, to be conspicuous by his absence in that tattoo seems baffling.”
For the time being, Lisa is in Portugal having fled the country shortly after Wilder’s birth.
The trip comes after she gave a rare insight into her feelings just days before the arrival, sharing a quote on Instagram reading: “Be proud of how you have been handling these past few months.
“The silent battles you’ve fought, the moments you’ve had to humble yourself, the times you’ve wiped your own tears. Celebrate your strength.”
When she’s finally ready to return there’ll be a loyal canine face waiting for her.
ANT McPartlin and Declan Donnelly met on the set of Byker Grove in 1990.
The two went on to have chart success under their characters’ names – including their 1994 No1 smash hit Let’s Get Ready To Rhumble.
They haven’t looked back since then, going on to present some of the most popular shows on TV.
Here’s a rundown of some of their most popular shows – plus one “dud”.
