The wife of Lisa Armstrong’s new lover has told of her hurt at seeing photos of her husband of five years cuddling up to the £31million divorcee – just a few months after they separated.
James Green, a 37-year-electrician and father-of-two, was pictured looking blissfully happy with Lisa in a London park at the at the weekend following her multi-million pound divorce from TV icon Ant McPartlin.
But now James’s estranged wife Kirsty has told of her shock at waking up to the photos on the morning of her 36th birthday so soon after he moved out of their £475,000 family home in Winchester, Hampshire.
Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Kirsty, who married Mr Green five years ago, said she had a suspicion that her ex was dating Lisa, 43, because a mutual friend has already told her they were an item.
‘I saw the photos of James and Lisa yesterday – on my birthday, which wasn’t the best present ever,’ she revealed.
‘I’d kind of already had an idea they were an item, someone gave me the heads up.
Ant McPartlin’s ex-wife Lisa Armstrong appeared happier than ever as she was seen enjoying an outdoor date with her new boyfriend James Green, 37, in London, which upset his estranged wife Kirsty Green (pictured right at their wedding in 2015)
Lisa, 43, could barely wipe the smile from her face as she chatted to new boyfriend James Green in a London park last week
All over: The makeup artist, 43, and the presenter, 44, finalised their ‘£31 million’ divorce back in April after their split in January 2018 (pictured on their wedding day in 2015)
Kirsty (left and right) has two children with the electrician – a daughter aged 14 and an 11-year-old son. She says he moved out of the family home earlier this year. She said despite their separation, she found pictures of James with Lisa ‘upsetting’
James left the family home (above) bought for £475,000 two years ago he shared with his wife and children a few months ago
Kirsty said the couple had been together for many years and had a daughter, 14, and their 11-year-old son.
She went on: ‘James and me are not divorced yet, we are still going through the process but we split earlier this year and obviously he has moved out.
‘We were together for a long time and I still have a good relationship with him and still speak to him. He is the father of my two children after all.
‘I’ve seen some of the comments people have made about James and Lisa online and I’ve found them quite upsetting to be honest.
‘I think people have a negative view because Ant McPartlin is so popular, he’s seen almost as a national treasure,’ she added.
Lisa and James, a senior electrical engineer for Doorgear Ltd, where he installs and maintains electric doors, were seen on Sunday engrossed in conversation as they chatted on a bench while sipping on Lucozade and beer.
The loved-up pair couldn’t take their eyes off each other as they relished in the sunny weather of the capital, alongside her pet pooch, who turned seven in June.
Lisa and her sparky beau coordinated in navy as she opted for a flowy summer dress, while the hunk wore a jacket, a T-shirt and khaki green shorts.
Sporty shoes complemented the pair’s outfits, with Lisa sweeping her cropped tresses into a half up half down style and James finishing things off with rounded sunglasses.
In good company: The blonde and her new companion took her beloved Labrador Hurley – who she shares with presenter Ant, 44 – for a walk in a local park
Love life: The TV icon has been dating his former personal assistant Anne-Marie Corbett, 43, for two years (pictured in November 2019)
‘Fit’: The head of make-up and hair for Strictly Come Dancing seemed to confirm their relationship as she responded to a delighted fan on Twitter
Happy times: Lisa and James engaged in a cosy conversation as they chatted on a bench while sipping on Lucozade and beer
Over the moon: The duo couldn’t take their eyes off each other as they relished in the sunny weather of the English capital, alongside her pet pooch, who turned seven in June
The blonde is said to have met James before lockdown but started seeing him properly once restrictions eased.
An onlooker said: ‘She and James both looked really happy. They were very lovey-dovey — as you are in the early stages of romance.
‘They were chatting intently, holding hands, and she was laughing a lot. They made no effort to disguise their feelings.’
After the pictures of the couple emerged, a fan wrote to Lisa on Twitter: ‘Yes Lisa! He is fit! So chuffed for you, get in!!!’
Getting to know each other: Lisa held onto James’s hand during their enjoyable outing in the midsummer London sunshine
Helping hand: James was every inch the gentleman as he appeared to button up the former This Morning employee’s sleeves, while she puffed on a cigarette
Aw! James fastened the other side of Lisa’s garment as they chilled by an outdoor table
Addition? Ant’s former long-term partner appeared to showcase a new tattoo on her upper arm, complete with a flower, a name and a date
What’s over there? They looked into the distance as Lisa pointed at an object in their eyeline
In their element: The BRIT School alum lit another cigarette before showing James something on her mobile device
They have company: They were later joined by a pigeon who perched on a bench beside them
The head of make-up and hair for Strictly Come Dancing seemed to confirm their relationship as she retweeted the message with her 142,000 followers and added three smiley face emojis. She also liked another tweet from a fan that told her: ‘You f***ing Queen.’ MailOnline has contacted Lisa’s representatives for further comment.
Lisa and Ant finalised their divorce back in April after their split in January 2018 following the presenter’s highly documented battle with painkillers and alcohol.
Earlier this year, Saturday Night Takeaway host Ant was reported to have handed over £31 million to Lisa, including their £5 million home in West London.
The beauty expert was said to have been the ‘peacemaker’ during an eight-hour long discussion about her divorce from the TV star, claimed The Sun.
Animated: At one point, Lisa looked quite stern as she raised her left hand
Showing the signs: An onlooker claimed ‘she and James both looked really happy. They were very lovey-dovey — as you are in the early stages of romance’
Out and about: James looked pensive as he held onto his alcoholic beverage while getting to know Lisa
Like no one is watching! ‘They were chatting intently, holding hands, and she was laughing a lot. They made no effort to disguise their feelings’, a source said
The publication first alleged the TV veteran offered up more than half of his estimated £50 million fortune, but was ‘delighted’ that the case has come to an end as he can ‘move on’, two years after announcing their split.
However, as the news broke, the former musician took to Twitter to deny the reports, posting: ‘Nope a load of nonsense AGAIN….’
She went to ‘like’ tweets that stated: ‘no amount of money could ever compensate for what this poor girl has had to endure’, and ‘Get what you can!
‘You deserve it! Terrible treatment of you since you found out when we did! And with a so called friend! It’s heartbreaking behaviour.
Matching: The Oxford native and her ‘new man’ coordinated in navy as she opted for a flowy summer dress, while the hunk wore a jacket, a T-shirt and khaki green shorts
Sussing him out: Hurley looked up at his owner’s new partner as they played games in the park
Dog parents: Lisa and her famous ex were said to be on civil terms earlier this year as they continue to share custody of their pet
Soaking it up: They were enjoying the rare stunning weather in the city as they walked around in public
‘I bet the money means nothing in some respects, it certainly can’t buy the respect she deserves or make up for the sh***y spineless way he scurried off & tried to silence her.
‘Whatever the sum is I’m sure it will be put to much better use & I wish her all the best’; and ‘Why do people care what you get, no amount of money big or small can change the fact a heart was broken’. [sic]
At the start of 2020, the former couple were said to be on civil terms, with the exes speaking have ‘without an intermediary’ as they continue to share custody of their pet Labrador.
Late last year, friends of the former couple told The Mail On Sunday that despite efforts by Ant to keep their split low-key, Lisa still wanted her day in court. She is understood to have felt that Ant ‘got away with a lot’ following their split.
She was also believed to be dismayed and deeply hurt that he moved on so quickly when he started a new relationship with Anne-Marie.
A source close to the couple said: ‘Ant has been very generous in terms of the financial settlement but Lisa is totally the opposite of someone who is motivated by money.
He’s gotten comfortable! The Call It Love hitmaker sat on the ground while James jogged around with the adorable dog
‘She doesn’t care about that – she earns her own. But she has been so hurt by all of this.
‘What the general public and his fans don’t realise is that Ant’s decision to end the marriage came after years of Lisa trying to save him from himself.
‘There were at least three years when she was at her wits’ end and it was tough. Watching him move on was very, very difficult. Lisa is very much aware that a judge may not award her as much as Ant is offering but she doesn’t care.
‘She has suffered tremendously in all of this and she wants her day in court.’
Go fetch: The Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-Up Star guest judge threw a ball across the park for Hurley
Off she goes: She shielded her eyes from the shade in huge square-framed shades as she exited the park
Impressive career: Aside from her relationship with Ant, the former Cosmopolitan columnist is best known for her her work in TV make-up
In their own bubble: James took the lead as Lisa followed closely behind
Their union legally came to an end during a 30-second hearing in October 2018, finalising over a decade of marriage. He can now marry his ‘rock’ Anne-Marie.
Ant and Lisa met at a roadshow in Newcastle in the mid-1990s while Lisa was an aspiring pop star in Deuce. He had often spoken of their struggle to have children.
The former Pick Me make-up supervisor has been keeping with her new romance after admitting she ‘hasn’t done anything for months’ as the nation continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic.
Denial: Back in January, Lisa took to Twitter to shut down claims about the details of her divorce from Ant, posting: ‘Nope a load of nonsense AGAIN….’
Supportive fans: The former singer went on to like tweets that stated ‘no amount of money’ would be compensation for her experience in the months during the proceedings
Lisa said she had had plenty of time on her hands while revealing she even called out her pal Piers Morgan over a live TV make-up gaffe.
Speaking to the Royal Television Society, she explained: ‘I haven’t done anything for months. People are having to do their own make-up.
Discussing Piers’ hilarious gaffe, she said: ‘When Piers [Morgan] did his for Good Morning Britain, I texted him and asked: ‘What the hell’s happened to you?’ People are now appreciating what make-up artists do.’
Ant McPartlin and Lisa Armstrong’s relationship timeline
Ant and Lisa first met in 1994. At the time Ant and life-long TV partner Declan Donnelly were reaching new TV and music heights as PJ & Duncan following their stint on Byker Grove. Lisa was in a band called Deuce at the time.
The pair met in the 1994 Smash Hits tour in Newcastle, where Lisa’s Deuce performed alongside Ant and Dec’s musical alter-egos.
They started dating and were together for over ten years before Ant decided to take it to the next level, proposing to Lisa while on holiday in Dubai in 2005.
Struggles: In 2013, Ant and Lisa spoke about their struggles to conceive, telling Radio Times, ‘Lisa and I would love to have kids. We’re trying. It’s tougher than you think’
They were married in 2006 on July 26 at a country house hotel in Buckinghamshire. Dec was Ant’s best man.
In that time, Deuce split and Lisa retrained as a makeup artist, ultimately working her way up to become head of makeup and hair for BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.
In 2013, Ant and Lisa spoke about their struggles to conceive, telling Radio Times: ‘Lisa and I would love to have kids. We’re trying. It’s tougher than you think when you get a bit older.’
The TV star also revealed that he wasn’t holding off from having children until Dec, who at the time was single at the time, was with someone.
‘There’s a rumour that we do everything together and I’m holding off having kids till Dec finds himself Mrs Right. I love that idea, but I’m afraid it’s not true.’
Happier times: The pair made a public appearance when they attended Dec’s wedding to Ali Astall, where Ant returned the favour and served as Dec’s best man
He also told Fabulous Magazine: ‘I think I’m lucky. Lisa works in the industry and understands it. She’s constantly working – sometimes more than me!
‘We would love to have a family so fingers crossed. If we’re blessed with children, then we’d be over the moon!’
The pair made a public appearance when they attended Dec’s wedding to Ali Astall, where Ant returned the favour and served as Dec’s best man.
Lisa frequently supports Ant and his lucrative TV career, most recently attending the 2017 National Television Awards—just 12 months before the couple announced their separation.
In June 2017, Ant went into rehab for alcohol and drug addiction.
In a statement to The Sun at the time, Ant said: ‘The first step is to admit to yourself you need help. I’ve let people down. I’m truly sorry. I feel like I have let a lot of people down and for that I’m truly sorry. I want to thank my wife, family and closest friends through this really difficult time.’
Lisa took to Twitter to thank the support her husband received: ‘Completely overwhelmed by all your love & support it means so much. I’m relieved he’s receiving the help he needs, we just need him better.’
Ant then told the Sun about the impact his addiction had on Lisa: I’ve put Lisa through hell with mood swings and depression and how it affects you. I’m very sorry about the effect it has on partners. This kind of stuff puts strains on any marriage. All I can say at the moment is that she’s been amazing — fantastic throughout.’
In autumn 2017, rumours of a split emerged after Lisa didn’t accompany Ant to Australia for I’m A Celeb, something which she quickly denied, pointing out she has a job and hasn’t been to Australia for years.
On January 14, 2018, the couple announced that their 11-year marriage has ended.
The couple announced their split in January when a representative said: ‘In response to the recent speculation in the media, Ant is very sad to announce that, after eleven years, he is ending his marriage to Lisa McPartlin.
In March 2018, Anne-Marie Corbett, the couple’s personal assistant was seen giving Ant a packed lunch outside his house. She accompanied him to his court date in April.
The pair continue to be seen over the next several months, and in June 2018, having revealed that she didn’t know Ant and Corbett were dating, Lisa accused Ant’s new girlfriend of ‘breaking the girl code’ by dating the TV star.
In October 2018, just days before their divorce application was granted, Ant was seen holding his phone, which has him and Corbett as the screensaver.
Their union legally came to an end during a 30-second hearing.
In November 2018, the pair were said to be fighting over custody of their pet labrador, Hurley
In January 2020, Ant and Lisa were said to have finalised their divorce deal
Ant agreed to hand over £31m to his ex-wife in the settlement, including their £5million former marital home in West London
The couple will share custody of pet dog Hurley