In a devastating twist that has reopened old wounds and left fans in floods of tears, Ant McPartlin’s ex-wife Lisa Armstrong is said to be reeling once again as the woman who was once her trusted friend and personal assistant celebrates the arrival of the TV star’s first child – a beautiful baby boy named Wilder Patrick.

The Britain’s Got Talent presenter, 49, proudly announced the birth of his son on May 14, 2024, in a heart-melting black-and-white Instagram snap cradling the newborn, captioning it: “Welcome to the family Wilder Patrick McPartlin. Born, 14/05/24 at 8.54am. Baby is beautiful, Mummy’s a legend, Sisters are over the moon. Dad’s a mess!”

But while Ant beams with joy alongside his wife Anne-Marie Corbett, 47 – the very woman Lisa hired to work for them as their PA – sources close to the Strictly Come Dancing makeup artist reveal she’s been plunged back into “silent battles”, grappling with the painful resurfacing of a betrayal that shattered her world seven years ago.

“Nourishing a viper in one’s bosom” – the ancient proverb perfectly captures the agony Lisa endured when Ant left her for Anne-Marie, the assistant she considered a close confidante. After 23 years together and 11 years of marriage, Lisa was blindsided in 2018 when Ant moved on just months after their split, marrying Anne-Marie in a lavish 2021 ceremony.

Now, with the arrival of Wilder – the child Ant and Lisa desperately tried for during their marriage, enduring heartbreaking fertility struggles and at least one miscarriage – the old scars have been ripped open. Insiders say Lisa learned of the birth through the media, just like the pregnancy announcement earlier this year, adding salt to the wounds.

One devastated friend told us: “Lisa’s been putting on a brave face, but this has hit her like a truck. She fought silent battles back then, and now seeing Anne-Marie – the woman she trusted in her home – living the family life she dreamed of with Ant? It’s unimaginable pain.”

The outrage reached fever pitch when Ant’s announcement photo revealed a brand-new family tree tattoo on his shoulder: an intricate oak design featuring “Amzie” (Anne-Marie’s nickname) at the top, branches for her daughters Poppy and Daisy from her previous marriage, and even the family dogs Milo and Bumble.

Fans and friends of Lisa were left gasping – no mention of her, after decades of devotion, or their shared Labrador Hurley, over whom they’ve battled in a bitter custody row. “Can you imagine seeing that tattoo?” one pal fumed. “It’s a kick in the teeth. Lisa gave Ant everything – supported him through his darkest days with addiction – and now he’s inked a permanent tribute excluding her entirely.”

Ant later clarified that Hurley’s name was hidden under the baby in the photo, posting a follow-up snap to silence the backlash. But the damage was done. Lisa, 48, broke her silence with cryptic Instagram posts about “silent battles you’ve fought” and “wiping your own tears”, widely interpreted as digs at the situation.

Social media erupted in sympathy for Lisa: “Poor Lisa – betrayed by her friend and now this tattoo snub? Heartbreaking 😭”, one fan wrote. Another raged: “Anne-Marie was Lisa’s assistant and friend – girl code broken forever. Ant got the family he wanted with the ‘third party’.”

The betrayal story dates back to 2017 when Anne-Marie, then a single mum after divorcing her husband Scott, joined the McPartlins’ team. Lisa reportedly recommended her for the job, treating her like family – even buying lavish gifts for Anne-Marie’s daughters.

But by June 2018, just five months after Ant and Lisa’s separation amid his rehab stints and drink-driving shame, paparazzi snapped Ant and Anne-Marie hand-in-hand. Lisa’s world crumbled. She tweeted furiously about “girl code” and feeling stabbed in the back, while Ant denied any overlap, insisting the romance began after the split.

The divorce was acrimonious: finalised in 2020 on grounds of Ant’s adultery, with Lisa reportedly securing £31million – half his fortune – plus their £5million Chiswick mansion. But money couldn’t heal the hurt. Ant famously told lawyers: “She can have anything – except the dog,” fighting tooth and nail for shared custody of Hurley.

Lisa has thrown herself into work on Strictly, dazzling with her makeup artistry, while dating electrician James Green since 2020. But pals say the Ant saga lingers. When pregnancy rumours swirled in February 2024, Lisa posted empowering quotes like “No one is you and that is your superpower.”

Ant, meanwhile, has gushed about Anne-Marie as his “rock”, crediting her for pulling him through addiction hell. Their 2021 wedding was a star-studded affair at a Hampshire church, with Dec as best man. Ant became a doting stepdad to Poppy and Daisy, often sharing blended family snaps.

Wilder’s birth caps Ant’s redemption arc: sober, successful, and now a dad at last. He and Dec paused Saturday Night Takeaway to focus on family, with Ant admitting: “We’ve both got children we need to spend time with.”

But for Lisa, it’s a stark reminder of what might have been. The couple openly discussed IVF struggles; Ant once said: “It’s tougher when you get older – fingers crossed.” Lisa alluded to loss in posts, and friends say the miscarriage devastated them.

As Christmas 2024 approached, Lisa shared joy over a new family arrival – her adorable nephew born on Boxing Day – posting elephant-themed snaps and motivational messages: “2024 survival mode… 2025 rise, rebuild, thrive.”

Fans flooded her with love: “You deserve all the happiness, Lisa!” Yet whispers persist of ongoing tension, with Lisa reportedly wanting full Hurley custody now Ant has “moved on” with new dogs and a baby.

Ant’s camp insists there’s no bad blood, with the star focusing on fatherhood. Wilder shares a birthday milestone vibe, and Ant’s already planning additions to that tattoo.

But the proverb rings true for many: Lisa nourished a “viper” – trusting Anne-Marie in her home, only to lose her husband and the family dreams to her.

As one supporter posted: “Lisa’s loyalty for 23 years, betrayed by her closest assistant. Now they have the son she longed for. Heartbreaking.”

The showbiz world watches as Lisa rebuilds – stronger, they say – while Ant’s new chapter shines.

Yet some monsters, as the old saying goes, wear the closest smiles.