Ant McPartlin could be forced to pay out £15million if he and wife Lisa divorce
ANT McPartlin could end up paying his wife Lisa a staggering £15m if they divorce following their relationship troubles.
The I'm A Celeb host has been snapped moving into a bachelor pad this month and now it's thought the 11-year marriage is "hanging by a thread" - though a permanent separation could prove very expensive.
Declan Donnelly's 42-year-old TV partner, who went to rehab to kick crippling addictions this year, is thought to be worth £30m - and Lisa would be entitled to 50% of his assets.
Ant and Dec made an amazing £29.48m last year before tax, so it seems make-up artist Lisa would be taking more than half his yearly earnings in a divorce.
Divorce lawyer Cara Nuttall told The Mirror: “The starting point will always be a 50:50 division of all assets.
“It is likely her lawyers will argue that due to the length of their relationship that there is no room for negotiation on that.”
Fears for Lisa, 42, and Ant's marriage follow reports the presenter has grown close to Scarlett Moffatt.
In November a source said: “Ant called Scarlett as soon as he was out of rehab to catch up.
“He, along with Dec, really want to support her career and think she’ll be a big star. They have been talking non-stop. They’ve struck up a great friendship.”
Friends added that Scarlett has been a “great support” to Ant who spent eight weeks in rehab this summer and had a knee operation.
Meanwhile Lisa McPartlin - nee Armstrong, who works as a make-up assistant on Strictly - was seen enjoying nights out with her pals towards the end of Ant's Australia stint.
An insider commented: “Ant’s been bolstered by I’m a Celeb’s viewing figures, which seem to show the public still support him.
“Lisa has been by herself, and having a good time with her pals has proved a good distraction.”
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