Ant McPartlin’s court no-show will cost him thousands, says celebrity divorce lawyer

ANT McPartlin’s decision to miss his latest divorce hearing will cost him thousands, according to a celebrity divorce lawyer.

The 42-year-old TV star was blasted by a judge after he failed to show up at the Royal Courts of Justice on Monday.

His ex-wife Lisa Armstrong was pictured at the hearing and Ant later issued a statement which said he was advised he did not have to attend.

Ant and Lisa are currently hashing out a big-money settlement in court but Celebrity divorce lawyer Vanessa, founder and director of Lloyd Platt & Co, told The Sun Ant’s absence will end up adding to his legal bill.

Vanessa explained: “I think his no-show would have had a very large impact on the case.

“You don’t not turn up to a high court hearing. All the judges talk to each other and it will be out in the media arena because the judge made sure that that bit was released into the public domain.

"As a result every judge will know that he didn’t bother to turn up.

“It hasn’t been reported but I suspect that the judge will have ordered him to pay Lisa’s costs of attendance.

“Her whole team would have been awarded the costs on an indemnity basis - that means every penny of the cost would have been ordered against him.

“That doesn’t set the case off right. It would have been a very bad day indeed for Ant.”

Lisa was granted a divorce last month over the I’m A Celeb star’s adultery and because he was “intolerable to live with”.

Their 11-year marriage came to end in just 30 seconds and raised no objections to Lisa's claims.

Ant and Lisa’s legal teams are now thrashing out a settlement based on his £62million fortune.

The couple's dog Hurley will be at the centre of their dispute - and yesterday celeb lawyer 'Mr Loophole' claimed Ant is the pooch's legal guardian because the mutt is HAPPIER with him.

Got a story? email digishowbiz@the-sun.co.uk or call us direct on 02077824220.

We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.