Declan Donnelly ‘torn between best friend Ant McPartlin and estranged wife Lisa Armstrong’ claim new reports
DECLAN Donnelly is “torn” between his best friend Ant McPartlin and his estranged wife Lisa Armstrong, according to new reports.
The claims that the TV presenter has been struggling with where his loyalties lie following Ant and Lisa’s split.
A source told the paper: “Dec will always stand by Ant, but over the years he has, naturally, become very good friends with Lisa, and his wife, Ali, is also very close to her.
“He feels very much torn, and it’s a tremendously difficult situation for all concerned.”
Dec has been best mates with Ant for over 28 years, and has been close to Lisa for almost 23 years of them.
Earlier this month Ant confirmed that he and Lisa are ending their 11-year marriage after a turbulent year in which Ant was admitted to rehab after becoming reliant on alcohol and drugs following a botched knee operation.
His representative told The Sun on Sunday: “In response to the recent speculation in the media, Ant is very sad to announce that, after 11 years, he is ending his marriage to Lisa McPartlin.
“Ant asks for privacy at this difficult time, for both himself, Lisa and their immediate families.
"No further statement will be made.”
Ant, 42, and Strictly Come Dancing'make-up artist Lisa, 41, have known each other for 23 years and tied the knot in 2006.
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He previously admitted he put his partner "through hell" because of his "mood swings" when he battled with depression and struggled with addiction.
The I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! host has said that things started to spiral out of control two years ago when he had an operation to fix cartilage in his right knee.
In a bid to numb the pain, Ant began taking the prescription drug Tramadol and soon realised that he'd become hooked on the painkiller, which can cause speech disturbances, lack of co-ordination, headaches and drowsiness.
Speaking previously, the Saturday Night Takeaway star said: "I've put Lisa through hell with mood swings and depression and how it affects you.
"I'm very sorry about the effect it has on partners. This kind of stuff puts strains on any marriage."
The Sun Online has contacted Dec's rep for comment.
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