Ant McPartlin ‘is left devastated as the beloved dog he shared with ex-wife Lisa Armstrong dies after their bitter custody battle’
Ant McPartlin reportedly passed away this week after leaving the launch of Britain’s Got Talent to be with his beloved dog Hurley.
The 50-year-old presenter previously shared his pet with ex-wife Lisa Armstrong, and the pair were locked in a bitter custody battle over him following their split in 2018.
Sources revealed Ant was ‘very saddened’ by Hurley’s passing after Hurley agreed to joint custody of ex Lisa.
Ant has previously credited Hurley with helping him overcome his struggles with drink and drug addiction.
Ant is thought to have rushed to his ex Lisa’s side during vet hours after attending the BGT press conference in London.
The couple made the heartbreaking decision to put Hurley to sleep after learning their 12-year-old dog was too sick to recover.
Ant McPartlin reportedly skipped the Britain’s Got Talent launch at the last minute to join his dog Hurley, who passed away this week
The 50-year-old presenter previously shared his pet with ex-wife Lisa Armstrong (pictured) and the pair were locked in a bitter custody battle over him following their split in 2018.
The Sun On Sunday reported that Ant and Lisa had a glimpse of Hurley and the dog was with the presenter as he passed away peacefully.
The pair are thought to have been consoled by relatives after Lisa shared a photo showing a girl on Instagram on Saturday. I release hearts into the sky.
The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Ant McPartlin and Lisa Armstrong for comment.
Ant previously spoke about his bond with Hurley in an interview with The Sun On Sunday in 2019, following his stint in rehab.
He said: ‘Hurley has a devotion, love and friendship that you can’t describe. He never scolds me and is always glad to see me.
‘I came out of a store the other day and there was a woman on the floor hugging Hurley.
‘He said to me, ‘That’s the dog in the newspapers!’ he said. Hurley is a celebrity.”
The Saturday Night Takeaway star split from Lisa in 2018 after 11 years of marriage and married his former personal assistant Anne-Marie in 2021.
Sources revealed Ant was ‘very saddened’ to see Hurley pass away after he was taken to the vet and he and ex Lisa agreed to put him to sleep when they learned he was too ill to recover.
Ant is said to have refused to give full custody of Hurley to his ex during their divorce battle, telling lawyers: “He can have anything he wants except the dog.”
Ant is said to have refused to give full custody of Hurley to his ex during their divorce battle, telling lawyers: ‘He can have anything he wants except the dog.’
The arrangement saw the TV presenter’s driver carry the dog between the two of them so they didn’t need to see each other.
The couple adopted the dog in 2013 after struggling to have a child throughout their 13-year marriage.
Lisa regularly shared photos of Hurley on Instagram and called the beloved dog her “boy.”
Her last post with Hurley captured her lying on her bed to mark International Dog Day in August last year.
Ant became a father for the first time in May 2024, when he welcomed his first child, son Wilder, with his wife Anne-Marie. The couple also has two Maltipoos named Milo and Bumble.
It follows news last week that Lisa had split from her actor boyfriend Grant Kilburn.
The Strictly make-up artist and Grant are said to have parted ways last month, just weeks after pals claimed she was ‘happier than ever’ in her new relationship.
A source told The Mirror about their split: ‘It’s so sad but it wasn’t meant to be.’
The Daily Mail has contacted Lisa’s representatives for comment.
Just weeks ago, insiders said Lisa had found a renewed sense of happiness and energy following the breakdown of her marriage to Ant in 2018.
A source told the publication at the time: ‘He’s gotten so used to relationships where he plays second fiddle.
‘This time he’s number one. She’s taking it slow, she doesn’t want to get hurt again, but she’s being treated like a princess and her new man can’t do enough for her.
‘His life revolves around hers and he adores her and tells her that all the time. ‘He’s doing so well in his career that he’s come into his own and she’s encouraged it.’
The Daily Mail revealed in December that Grant and Lisa hit it off quickly after being introduced by Stacey and Kevin Clifton following one of their performances.
In 2023, she split from her boyfriend James Green, 42, a Sky electrician, and he too moved out of her home.
That same year, a fire broke out in the £5 million house she bought in Chiswick after her divorce.
