Simon Helps Lisa Plan A Fresh Start

With attention focused on Ant McPartlin’s new romance, insiders say his ex Lisa Armstrong has turned to mutual pal Simon Cowell to help her decide if there’s a future for her in the US

- Daisy McLure

She’s made no secret of her hurt over her estranged husband Ant McPartlin’s rumoured relationship with their former PA, Anne Marie Corbett, and Tweeted, “Lies, lies, lies” last week amid fresh allegations.

Lisa Armstrong’s outburst followed a series of damning claims made about her, as it was reported last week that she had treated former pal and assistant Anne Marie as “a skivvy” and booted her out of their marital home after a ferocious bust-up.

And insiders say Lisa is upset the situation has escalated in the way it has, and has asked celeb pals, including Holly Willoughby, Phillip Schofield and Simon Cowell, for help.

A source says, “Lisa’s hurt and sad it’s come to this, and never thought that, after 11 years of marriage, it would turn into such a slanging match.

“She’d been clinging to the hope they could reunite, so for it to have all become so nasty is painful. She’s turned to her friends, including Simon Cowell, for help on how to manage the situation and make a fresh start.”

As the drama escalated last week – with claims tensions had boiled over between Lisa and Ant, both 42, after he refused to move back into their west London home following his stint in rehab last summer – she made a string of moves to hint she was making changes.