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ANT & CHEQUE
ANT McPartlin has agreed to give ex-wife Lisa Armstrong £31million in a massive divorce deal – over half his £50million fortune.
The ITV star, 44, settled his bitter legal battle with the Strictly make-up artist, 43, at a face-to-face meeting in London on Tuesday.
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It is one of the biggest celebrity divorce settlements in British history.
A source close to both sides said: “They both decided they wanted it resolved.”
Ant is said to be “delighted” after agreeing to give Lisa over half of his £50million fortune.
She will also keep the couple’s £5million former marital home in West London.
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But the pair have agreed to share permanent custody of their beloved Labrador Hurley — as they could not live without him.
Lisa is not expected to be entitled to the ITV favourite’s future earnings as part of the deal.
Neither side is believed to have signed a confidentiality agreement.
The deal — one of the biggest in celebrity divorce history — was struck at a face-to-face meeting in London this week.
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It eliminates the risk of a protracted court battle, which could have seen details of their messy break-up getting a public airing.
A source close to both sides said: “Ant and Lisa agreed to settle and sign their divorce agreement during a productive and civil meeting on Tuesday.
“Ant made a very generous settlement that works out to be more than half of everything that he has.
“He is delighted because it means he can put what has been a very difficult chapter in his life behind him and move on.
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“For Lisa, the start of a new decade gave her a fresh mindset. It’s been tough but it’s time to move on.
“They both decided they wanted it resolved.
“There was no acrimony and both of them walk away contented.”
Both parties attended the crunch negotiations in central London with their lawyers — and the talks went far better than anticipated.
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The insider went on: “The meeting was pre-arranged.
“No one expected it to be sorted so easily because it has been hurtling towards court.
“It will take a few weeks to tie up all the loose ends and a decree absolute will be issued in a few weeks.
“But it is a done deal. Ant has done the right thing and given her more than people often agree to give in order to properly move on.
“Neither of them could keep living with something so toxic hanging over them.”
The couple’s priority will now be the welfare of their chocolate Labrador dog Hurley.
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The source said: “Neither of them could live without Hurley so they agreed to share custody.
“His welfare will now be their primary concern.”
Ant and Lisa, who married in 2006, split in January 2018, five months after he left rehab.
The star had been struggling with a two-year addiction to super-strong painkillers - resulting from a knee operation - and a battle with booze.
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Lisa was granted a 30-second decree nisi in October 2018, but proceedings reached a deadlock last March after she refused to sign a non-disclosure agreement.
The couple then ran the risk of a public showdown in court after Lisa turned down a settlement offer last November.
The Sun also revealed in June 2018 that Ant had found love again with his personal assistant Anne-Marie Corbett, 43.
She had supported him following his drink-drive arrest in March of that year, for which he was fined £86,000 and given a 20-month ban. In August, she moved into Ant’s new £6million home in South-West London.
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She also joined him in Australia before Christmas for his return to I’m A Celebrity alongside co-host Declan Donnelly, 44.
Ant praised his new love in an exclusive interview in The Sun, saying: “She’s been my rock.
“She’s a beautiful soul... She is the most wonderful true woman.
“We were going through turmoil. It was the last thing on either of our minds to get into a relationship.
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But there we were and we were like, ‘This felt so good, why deny it’?”
Meanwhile, Lisa suffered further heartbreak last May when her father Derek died following a cancer battle, aged 71.
The estranged couple have also been fighting over custody of Hurley - with Lisa posting a selfie with him on Monday.
The Instagram snap saw her getting a face lick from her pooch, with the caption: “Really Hurls!!!...... Haha.... #pawonhead #tongueineyeball#Hurleywash...”
Ant has also spoken of his bond with the mutt, telling The Sun: “There’s a loyalty and a love and a companionship with Hurley that you can’t describe.”
He insisted: “Hurley’s welfare comes first and we both love him very much. That’s the way it is really.”
RARE TO GET OVER HALF
By John Lucas
PAYOUTS of more than 50 per cent of assets are unusual and often signify guilt — but could just be a case of trying to move on, experts say.
Emma Gill, director of divorce lawyers Vardags, said a 50/50 split is normal — unless there is a pressing need for more.
She added: “It is interesting that Lisa got more than half of £50million, which would be more than enough for anybody. If you feel responsible for the downturn in the relationship, you might settle at more than half. It could also be to capitalise on future maintenance payments — this is the final deal and Lisa won’t be able to get more in the future.
“Or it could just be the cost of splitting to get it done because he’s got something good around the corner.”
Both can celebrate
FEW celebrity divorces have caused this type of pain and heartache.
But that’s why today I celebrate the maturity and clear-headedness shown by both Ant and Lisa.
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From what I’ve been told, their face-to-face meeting on Tuesday was lengthy but cordial and polite.
Both parties acknowledged a desire to move on for the good of their own lives.
Of course, it was unconscionable for either to give up the right to see their beloved dog Hurley. So a sensible decision was agreed for them to share custody.
Ant has given up a lot.
You could argue that it’s a devastating financial blow that will see him be worth less than half his I’m A Celebrity co-host and best mate Declan Donnelly.
But having followed Ant’s recovery closely over the past two years, I can tell you this settlement means far more than how much is in his bank account. He wants the opportunity for a new start.
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He’s tackled the root causes of his troubles.
He’s got sober. He’s bravely acknowledged just how badly he let his life spiral out of control. And he’s found a new woman who has become his rock.
This deal gives him the confidence that he won’t have a horror court battle hanging over him at the start of a new decade.
Both sides were prepared for epic mud-slinging — but luckily they realised it just wasn’t worth it.
Lisa is a highly successful individual in her own right — one of the country’s top make-up artists who is well-loved in the industry.
Now she is also one of the richest women in the country.
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I pray this gives her the opportunity for a fresh start.
She has the world at her feet and so many possibilities most of us could only dream of.
If only she is able to move on.
BIGGEST PAYOUTS
MADONNA and Guy Ritchie’s 2008 divorce settlement is believed to be the highest ever seen in a UK court involving a celebrity couple.
The Material Girl’s reps told how Lock Stock director Guy received between £50million and £60million.
He was also awarded their £12million five-storey country pile in Wiltshire.
Guy released a statement afterwards claiming the figures were not accurate.
But he hosted his 2015 wedding to Jacqui Ainsley at the country property.
Adele and ex-husband Simon Konecki kept their divorce settlement figures under wraps last year.
But the father of her son Angelo was expected to claim a chunk of her £150million fortune.
The singer had bought Simon a home in Beverly Hills. Last May she also purchased the £8.25million house next to it so they were both close to their son.
Paul McCartney’s divorce from Heather Mills in 2008 saw the former model awarded £24.3million.
She was looking for more of his then-£400million fortune, bidding for £125million, while Paul thought £15.8million was fair.
As part of their settlement, Macca would pay the £35,000-a-year school fees of their daughter Beatrice, who was four at the time.
Heather was also awarded assets of £7.8million plus a lump sum of £16.5million.
Inside Ant McPartlin and Lisa Armstrong’s toxic £62million divorce as bitter talks break down over gag order
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