Ant McPartlin’s poor ex Lisa Armstrong deserves a happy ending too – who knows what went on in that marriage?

SPARE a thought for Lisa Armstrong.

Over the weekend her ex-husband of 11 years, Ant McPartlin, was plastered across the papers, alongside news he’s expecting a first child with his “new” wife, Anne Marie.

2

2

Anne Marie was Lisa’s one-time best mate. Not any more.

For years, Ant and Lisa tried to have kids of their own. For heartbreaking reasons of their own, they couldn’t.

Marriage breakdowns are hard at the best of times - but seeing your ex’s beaming face on TV, websites and newspapers must be a gut-punching ignominy, the likes of which very few of us can ever imagine.

And, invariably, it’s the woman who gets the blame in cases where there’s been no cheating: “let herself go”, “too needy”, “likes a drink”, “jealous” - all deeply misogynistic terms regularly bandied about.

Ant, a man who was disqualified for drink-driving, is regularly described as a “national treasure”.

How galling this must be for poor Lisa, a make-up artist with a hugely successful off-screen career of her own.

I’m quite sure she must have to bite her tongue on a daily basis (after reportedly declining to sign an NDA).

No-one is perfect. And behind closed doors, who knows what went on in that marriage.

Over the weekend, Lisa posted a tribute to the erstwhile couple’s beloved chocolate Labrador, Hurley. Her son.

For me, anyone who loves dogs as much as she clearly does, cannot be a bad person.

Let’s hope she gets her happy ending too.