Ant’s wife to stop working on Saturday Night Takeaway following break up

Ant McPartlin’s former partner Lisa Armstrong will stop working on Saturday Night Takeaway to avoid an “awkward” atmosphere, it’s been reported.

Ant announced last month that he and wife Lisa were planning to divorce after more than a decade together.

Make up artist Lisa regularly worked with Ant on his shows including Saturday Night Takeaway, as well as other programmes including Strictly Come Dancing.

But Lisa won’t be a part of this year’s team, in a bid to avoid any awkwardness backstage.

“Lisa was always very popular among the rest of the team, as well as very professional,” an insider said. “But producers just felt having her back this year would be awkward.”

The source explained that Lisa typically worked with Stephen Mulhern on Saturday Night Takeaway in her capacity as a freelance make up artist.

However, they revealed to The Sun newspaper: “Because of the set-up at the studios it would be impossible for Lisa and Ant to avoid spending lots of time in the same room.

“Ant would never have asked for her to leave but in the circumstances the production team just felt it could be difficult so felt they couldn’t invite her back on.

“It’s a very sensitive situation and show bosses didn’t want to inflame it.”

A source close to Ant said: “Ant and Lisa decided together that due to their current circumstances it was the right decision for her not to work on the show.”

Lisa has continued to work alongside Stephen on Britain’s Got Talent spin-off More Talent, while Ant hosts the main show alongside pal Dec.

Sources last week claimed that Lisa had been getting support from BGT judges Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden behind the scenes following news of the split.

“Despite being close pals with Ant, Amanda and Alesha have been a real support,” a source spilled.

Saturday Night Takeaway begins this Saturday night at 7PM on ITV.