Lisa Armstrong returned to work on Britain’s Got Talent on Tuesday, for the first time since announcing her divorce from the show’s presenter Ant McPartlin.
Debuting new pink hair, the 41-year-old make-up artist wrapped up in a grey knee-length jacket and multi-coloured scarf as she made her way inside theLondon venue on Tuesday afternoon, minutes after the arrival of her smiling estranged husband.
It was previously reported that Lisa had moved from working on the main BGT series to the spin-off show More Talent to avoid any ‘awkward’ confrontations between the pair.
New ‘do: Lisa Armstrong has debuted new pink hair as she arrived to Britain’s Got Talent auditions for the first time since announcing her divorce from show host Ant McPartlin
For her return to work, which comes two weeks after BGT resumed filming in Blackpool, Lisa kept a low profile in a black midi dress and thick tights, worn with patent leather ankle boots.
The make-up artist worked her newly-dyed coif into a voluminous ponytail while she draped her beauty bag over her shoulder and carried a can of diet coke in her hand.
It was recently revealed the former pop singer would work on show’s spin-off Britain’s Got More Talent, where she will be less likely to run into Ant backstage.
At the time, sources close to The Sun claimed Lisa, who is Stephen Mulhern’s beauty assistant, is keen to ‘continue as normal’ and wants to keep things ‘civilised’ with her husband of 11 years.
Making her way: The 41-year-old make-up artist wrapped up in a grey furry knee-length jacket and multi-coloured scarf as she made her way inside the London venue on Tuesday afternoon
Animated: Lisa’s ex Ant McPartlin put on a sprightly display ahead of the latest round of Britain’s Got Talent auditions in London
High spirits: The 42-year-old TV presenter beamed broadly as he exited his taxi, before cheekily poking out his tongue at photographers
Room for one more? David Walliams was the only of the Britain’s Got Talent judges who appeared to arrive the same time as the presenting duo
Ready for his close up: Ant’s co-host Declan Donnelly later changed into a suave navy shirt and smart tanned brogues
In awe: The carriage proved to be quite the spectacle as onlookers stopped to take photographs
‘She’s generally done Stephen’s make-up and helped other people but this year the plan is for her to work exclusively on the spin-off. They are all keen to keep things civilised with Ant. It should certainly mean less awkward encounters.’
Lisa’s first appearance at filming comes after spin-off show More Talent host Stephen was forced to miss shooting for the first time in 11 years after falling ill with laryngitis.
Earlier this month, the much-loved presenter revealed that he was put on bed rest by doctors and told fans he would be ‘on mute’ until the London auditions last weekend.
However, Stephen cast doubt over that start date after sending out a health update to his followers on Twitter – thanking them for their well-wishes.
Moving on: It was previously reported that Lisa has moved from working on the main BGT series to the spin-off show to avoid any ‘awkward’ confrontations between the pair
‘I’m still trying to get better’: BGT host Stephen Mulhern has been battling cast with laryngitis after missing the first auditions
Taking to the micro-blogging site, he wrote: ‘Thank you so much for all your get well messages. Am still trying to get better and fingers crossed will see lots of you at the BGMT auditions in London a week today. Have a good evening all.’
Stephen missed the first auditions in Blackpool on January 16 due to the nasty illness, skipping out on the glamorous evening with his fellow BGT personalities.
He penned: ‘Morning! Absolutely gutted to be missing the first round of auditions this week in Blackpool!
‘I am on doctor’s strict orders to rest my voice, after suffering a nasty bout of Laryngitis – first day off from the show in 11 years. Unbelievable! I will be on mute until London auditions on the 27th Jan, look forward to seeing you all then!’
New season: Stephen missed the first auditions in Blackpool earlier this month due to the nasty illness, skipping out on the glamorous evening with his fellow BGT personalities
Walk this way: Making her way inside the studio, Lisa donned a black midi dress underneath her statement coat which she teamed with a thick tight and patent leather ankle boot
Back to work: The make-up artist worked her newly-dyed coif into a voluminous ponytail while she draped her beauty bag over her shoulder and carried a can of diet coke in her hand
Elsewhere, Lisa’s arrival at the studio comes after it was reported that she could make £155 million from their divorce, with reports claiming she has been advised to go after Ant’s future earnings.
It was previously said that Ant was willing to pay Lisa half of his £62million fortune to end their marriage amicably.
Yet The Sun reports that the make-up artist is said to have been told to follow in the footsteps of Karen Parlour – the ex-wife of Arsenal star Ray Parlour – who was awarded a third of the footballer’s future earnings when they divorced in 2004.
An insider said: ‘[Lisa] is not motivated by money and she has been focusing on getting through the devastating end of her marriage in one piece.
Claims: Elsewhere, Lisa’s arrival at the studio comes after it was reported that she could make £155 million from their divorce, with reports claiming she has been advised to go after Ant’s future earnings (Pictured in 2015 together)
‘But she has a very strong legal team behind her. Their argument is Lisa has been pivotal to Ant achieving his fortune so she deserves to see some of his future earnings.’
Ant found fame as part of a double act with pal Dec, with the pair hosting ITV’s Saturday Night Takeaway and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
In 2007 Ant and Dec signed a deal with ITV that was rumoured to be worth around £40 million that meant they would present exclusively on ITV – they recently renewed this deal for an estimated £30 million which sees the pair cemented with the channel until 2019.
Cosmopolitan claimed that for their one-month stint on I’m A Celeb, Ant and Dec receive £2.5 million each, with the pair earning £79,000 as a per day in 2016.
As well as their work on TV, the duo are both property investors too – reportedly owning properties worth around £10 million combined.
Going forward: Yet The Sun reports that the make-up artist is said to have been told to follow in the footsteps of Karen Parlour – the ex-wife of Arsenal star Ray Parlour – who was awarded a third of the footballer’s future earnings when they divorced in 2004 (Pictured in 2007)