I’m a Celebrity host Ant McPartlin moves into rented house and leads a separate life away from wife Lisa Armstrong — but stays close to his beloved labrador Hurley
TV presenter Ant McPartlin is leading a separate life away from his wife after telling pals he “needs space”.
But pals fear Ant, 41, could be in the doghouse after moving just down the road — so he can still be close to his beloved labrador Hurley.
Ant has moved into a £1.6million rented house a few streets away from the £6million West London mansion he shares with wife Lisa Armstrong.
A friend said: “Ant is spending time apart from Lisa — he’s said he needs space and everyone respects that.
“They are effectively leading separate lives while he re-evaluates everything.”
Ant spent two months in rehab this year after becoming addicted to prescription drugs following an op on his knee.
He admitted putting Lisa, 41, through hell with his mood swings and depression while hooked on the pills.
But The Sun can today reveal that medics have said Ant can resume ITV presenting duties on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.
He is due to fly to Australia within the next few days with best friend and co-host Declan Donnelly.
While there, Ant will spend time evaluating the future of his 23-year relationship with Lisa, Strictly Come Dancing’s head make-up artist.
The pal said: “He’s incredibly excited to receive the all-clear to host I’m A Celebrity with Dec.
“That’s what he’s been working towards.
“He’s going to be there for a number of weeks while Lisa is busy working behind the scenes on Strictly.
“It’s going to be a make or break few weeks as they decide how they feel about each other.
“But the sad reality is that it’s not looking positive that the marriage will survive long-term.”
Friends of the couple insisted they remain friendly and on good terms.
One pal said: “It’s obviously difficult but they need to be given time to work through it all.
“They have met up loads. He’s been around to the house and they have chatted things through.
“Ant adores Hurley and he spends a lot of time with the dog as well — that’s important for his state of mind, too.”
Lisa made it clear she hopes to resolve the marriage issues on Sunday when she shared a fan-made video on Twitter.
It featured her and Ant’s “best bits”, ranging from their first meeting through to their 2006 wedding day.
In an exclusive interview after leaving rehab in August, Ant told how his addictions had affected their marriage.
He said: “This kind of stuff puts strains on any marriage. But we’re good. She’s been fantastic throughout rehab. Very supportive.
“And time will tell. It’s very personal isn’t it?”
Ant and Lisa were teenage sweethearts who met on the Smash Hits tour in Newcastle in 1994 when he was 18 and she was 17 and in the band Deuce.
They dated for 11 years before Ant proposed while on holiday in Dubai in April 2005.
The following year they wed in a star-studded ceremony in Taplow, Bucks, with Dec as best man.
But their relationship has been tested in recent years as they appeared to struggle to have a family.
Ant admitted: “We’ve struggled. Like a lot of couples do. But that’s all I’m going to say about it because it’s very personal.”