Lisa Armstrong looks strained as he heads back to rehab

Lisa Armstrong returned to work this week, for the first time since her estranged husband’s arrest for a drink-drive incident at the weekend.

The make-up artist showed the strain of Ant McPartlin’s week from hell as she arrived to film promotional material forBritain’s Got Talent.

Ant, who fronts such entertainment shows as BGT with his sidekick Declan Donnelly, has decided to take a career break and was pictured leaving for a treatment centre on Wednesday evening, after being charged over a three-car collision inLondon.

 Back to work: Ant McPartlin’s estranged wife Lisa Armstrong was pictured heading back to Britain’s Got Talent filming in London on Tuesday, after his arrest for drink-driving over the weekend

Pictured outside the studios in south east London on Tuesday, Lisa looked close to tears.

As she sucked hard on a cigarette outside, her wedding and engagement rings hinted at her support for her troubled husband. 

She was make-up free for her return to work and dressed in a fuss-free fashion, wearing her favourite winter coat and a silk Louis Vuitton scarf. 

Emotional: She is reportedly in turmoil about the recent events, and the distance they have experienced during their marital breakdown

Emotional: She is reportedly in turmoil about the recent events, and the distance they have experienced during their marital breakdown

Time away: Ant was seen leaving his London home on Wednesday night, to enter a treatment facility

Time away: Ant was seen leaving his London home on Wednesday night, to enter a treatment facility

Keeping busy: Ant's TV sidekick Declan Donnelly was seen heading to the gym on Thursday

Keeping busy: Ant’s TV sidekick Declan Donnelly was seen heading to the gym on Thursday

Active: The star is going to be presenting alone for the first time in his career next weekend, following Ant's accident

Active: The star is going to be presenting alone for the first time in his career next weekend, following Ant’s accident

Lisa was lost in thought but seemed to be receiving strong support from her colleagues when one crewmember approached to put an arm around her shoulders.

Britain’s Got More Talent host Stephen Mulhern, who also works with Ant and Dec on Saturday Night Takeaway, arrived on location in a smart tuxedo and brandished a big smile. 

Cue cards, novelty props and balloons were seen being carried into the venue, as work continued on one of Ant & Dec’s biggest annual shows in the hosts’ absence 

Fix: Lisa puffed hard on a cigarette as she was pictured outside filming for promotional material

Fix: Lisa puffed hard on a cigarette as she was pictured outside filming for promotional material

Grabbing lunch: A baguette, Diet Coke and crisps gave her fuel for the afternoon ahead

Grabbing lunch: A baguette, Diet Coke and crisps gave her fuel for the afternoon ahead

Looking sharp: Britain's Got More Talent host Stephen Mulhern was seen arriving at the set

Looking sharp: Britain’s Got More Talent host Stephen Mulhern was seen arriving at the set

Filming begins: Novelty props were pictured in the back of a car for a day's filming

Filming begins: Novelty props were pictured in the back of a car for a day’s filming

Short of support: Emotional Lisa was supported by a member of the crew

Short of support: Emotional Lisa was supported by a member of the crew

Touched: The pink-haired make-up artist could count on her colleagues for consolation

Touched: The pink-haired make-up artist could count on her colleagues for consolation

On the latest series, Lisa is understood to have taken over responsibility for Stephen’s make-up, to avoid unnecessary run-ins with estranged husband Ant, from whom she separated in January after 24 years together. 

Later, with her make-up kit swinging from her hips, Lisa stopped to take lunch with a baguette, crisps and Diet Coke giving her fuel for the afternoon. 

It’s believed Lisa is in turmoil over Ant’s downward spiral, believing that she could have saved him from the events of the last few days. 

Fuss-free: She looked laidback in her favourite coat and a silk Louis Vuitton scalf

Close to tears: The star works for Stephen as his make-up artist

Close to tears: The star works for Stephen as his make-up artist

Back to work: Stephen also works on Saturday Night Takeaway with Ant and Dec

Back to work: Stephen also works on Saturday Night Takeaway with Ant and Dec

Brave face: Work has continued on BGT in the absence of presenters Ant and Dec

A source told The Sun on Thursday: ‘Lisa really thinks she could have helped to save him. 

‘She’s been upset watching on from afar and thinks she might be able to get him through the situation.’

‘But those close to Ant insist their struggling marriage was only making his problems worse, saying: ‘The relationship wasn’t helping. Ending it was a positive step.’

Split: Ant and Lisa (here on their wedding day in 2006) have been together since 1994

Split: Ant and Lisa (here on their wedding day in 2006) have been together since 1994

 Some-ring's stay the same: Lisa flashed her wedding and engagement rings

 Some-ring’s stay the same: Lisa flashed her wedding and engagement rings

 Moving on: Lisa was brave to be back at work in the wake of recent events

 Moving on: Lisa was brave to be back at work in the wake of recent events

Juggling act: Ant and Lisa's marriage came to an end in January

Juggling act: Ant and Lisa’s marriage came to an end in January

Helpless: His wife is believed to have felt like she could have helped him

Helpless: His wife is believed to have felt like she could have helped him

Giving them props: Ant has decided to step down from presenting duties

Giving them props: Ant has decided to step down from presenting duties

No work: Ant has also returned to a treatment facility to tackle his demons

No work: Ant has also returned to a treatment facility to tackle his demons

Cue the music: The show was well and truly going on in light of recent events

Cue the music: The show was well and truly going on in light of recent events

Team work: Lisa has been moved onto Stephen's make-up team to avoid run-ins with Ant

Team work: Lisa has been moved onto Stephen’s make-up team to avoid run-ins with Ant

Ant has been ‘hit hard’ by his painkiller addiction and impending £60million divorce from his wife of 11 years Lisa.

He made the decision to return to rehab and step away from his job on Tuesday. The two final episodes of his show Saturday Night Takeaway will also go ahead without him, leaving Declan Donnelly to present alone for the first time in their careers.

In a statement, Ant’s publicist said: ‘Ant has decided to go back into treatment and step down from his current TV commitments. He has spoken with Dec and ITV and asked for time off for the foreseeable future.’

Dec is said to be ‘gutted and devastated’ for his friend of 29 years and worried for the future of their 20-year TV partnership. 

Under strain: Lisa reportedly understands that her marriage wasn't helping Ant

Under strain: Lisa reportedly understands that her marriage wasn’t helping Ant

Troubled: Ant has made the decision to seek more help at this time

Troubled: Ant has made the decision to seek more help at this time

Working break: He will take some time to rest and recover, away from his TV duties

Working break: He will take some time to rest and recover, away from his TV duties

Taking her mind off things: She threw herself back into routine

Taking her mind off things: She threw herself back into routine

Sleepless nights: She was beginning to show the strain of Ant's week from hell

Sleepless nights: She was beginning to show the strain of Ant’s week from hell

Back at work: She was carrying her full make up kit for work

Back at work: She was carrying her full make up kit for work



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