Ant McPartlin’s Ex Fired From ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ In Wake Of His Return
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Throughout Britain’s Got Talent’s 12 seasons (that’s series, to our friends across the pond) the show has kept a spirit of fairness amongst its competitors, but some fans are noting that same spirit may not carry over to those who work behind the scenes. Makeup artist Lisa Armstrong was let go from BGT recently, as well as the spin-off Britain’s Got More Talent, after over a decade of work.
This is where things get a little messy. Armstrong is the (former) wife of show co-host Ant McPartlin, who took time off from television to address his issues with substance abuse after being arrested for a DWI in March. The two were married in July of 2006 and announced their divorce in January of 2018. McPartlin, who hosts BGT and I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! along with longtime best friend Declan Donnelly, has spent some of these months past in a treatment facility, and the show’s upcoming 13th season will mark his return to television, newly clean and sober.
It seems pretty clear that Armstrong’s firing is an attempt to help her former spouse reacclimate to life in the spotlight after a difficult year, with a source close to production saying, “Although everyone is very fond of Lisa, it was clearly untenable to carry on working together. Ant and Dec are two of the most senior people on the show, sometimes these tough decisions have to be made.” While it is admirable how supportive Britain’s Got Talent has been, it does not seem entirely fair that Armstrong leaving is the solution to a problem she did not create, at least that is the consensus on Twitter.
@lisaAmakeup I’m so proud of how you’ve handled yourself. You are a warrior n remember when they try to tear u down you will grow stronger and rise above with class n grace. I have witnessed how they have tried to break u. But I also see the power u hold.
— Craig Robert Young (@craigryoung) December 12, 2018
Really heart warming to see the comments on the article in the sun “real reason @lisaAmakeup was axed” seems the general consensus is that it’s bollocks and she was made to look the bad guy AGAIN. You have lots of support out there Lisa x
— Bethany Turner (@ellepig) December 12, 2018
@lisaAmakeup Very sorry to hear youre no longer on BGT. Very unfair and unkind. Youre a brilliant MUA & wonderful person, totally their loss X
— daniel sandler (@danielsandler) December 10, 2018
As Armstrong was only a freelancer for Britain’s Got Talent she still has her job at Strictly Come Dancing, amongst others, in the wake of this shake-up. Hopefully, we will be seeing only good things for both parties going forward.
