In a moment that gripped fans and fueled speculation, Lisa Armstrong, the celebrated makeup artist and ex-wife of TV star Ant McPartlin, broke her silence with a hauntingly cryptic social media post mere hours after news of Ant’s newborn son, Wilder, hit the headlines. 
The I’m A Celebrity host welcomed his first child with wife Anne-Marie Corbett on May 14, 2024, but it’s Lisa’s enigmatic response that’s stolen the spotlight, sparking a whirlwind of emotion and debate across X. From heartbreak to resilience, let’s unravel the mystery of her post, the timing that broke hearts, and what it reveals about her journey post-divorce. 
A Baby Announcement That Shook the Internet 
Ant McPartlin, 49, sent fans into a frenzy when he shared the arrival of Wilder Patrick McPartlin on Instagram, posting a tender black-and-white snap with the caption, “Baby is beautiful, Mummy’s a legend, Sisters are over the moon. Dad’s a mess!” 
The joyful news, announced around midday on May 14, 2024, marked a milestone for Ant and Anne-Marie, married since 2021 after a romance that began post his 2018 split from Lisa. The post racked up thousands of likes, with co-star Declan Donnelly commenting, “Over the moon for you, mate! 
.”
But as congratulations poured in, all eyes turned to Lisa, 48, whose 23-year relationship with Ant—11 years married—ended in a high-profile divorce. By late evening that same day, she took to Instagram Stories, sharing a quote that hit like a thunderbolt: “Be proud of how you’ve been handling these past few months. The silent battles you’ve fought, the moments you had to humble yourself, the times you’ve wiped your own tears.” 
No caption, no explanation—just raw emotion. X erupted, with users posting, “Lisa’s post screams heartbreak 
,” and “Timing’s no coincidence—she’s hurting.” The hashtag #LisaArmstrong trended, as fans dissected her words against Ant’s baby joy.
A Silent Battle Laid Bare 
Lisa’s post didn’t name Ant, but the context was unmistakable. Sources close to her, cited by Mirror Online, described the baby news as a “gut punch,” noting she’d been bracing for it but felt “rocked” when it hit. Her “silent battles” hint at a year of private struggles—Ant’s new chapter with Anne-Marie, who was once their personal assistant, stung deeply, especially given Lisa’s reported inability to have children during their marriage. “It’s a wound that hasn’t fully healed,” a friend told The Sun. 
The timing of her post, just hours after Ant’s announcement, felt like a raw exhale to fans. “She’s not attacking, she’s surviving,” one X user wrote, sharing a screenshot of the quote. Others saw defiance, with a fan tweeting, “Lisa’s saying she’s stronger than they know! 
.” Her choice to stay subtle—no direct jab, just a poignant reflection—won praise for dignity, but it also fueled theories. Was it a message to Ant? A nod to her own healing? Or simply a coincidence? The mystery only deepened the intrigue. 
Fans and Friends Rally Around Lisa 
The online reaction was electric. X became a battleground of support, with posts like, “Lisa Armstrong deserves peace—leave her be! ,” and “Ant’s happy, but Lisa’s pain is real. Respect her journey.” Fans shared throwbacks of her Strictly Come Dancing makeup artistry, celebrating her talent amid the drama. “She’s a queen who doesn’t need his spotlight,” one declared, posting a glam Lisa selfie. 
Clips from her rare TV appearances, like November 2024’s It Takes Two, trended, reminding everyone of her resilience.
Her inner circle echoed the love. Strictly pros like Amy Dowden sent subtle Instagram hearts, while a source told Daily Mail that Lisa’s friends were “rallying hard” to keep her spirits up. But not all reactions were kind—some X users accused her of “playing the victim,” with one snarking, “Move on, Lisa—Ant has.” The criticism drew fierce pushback, with a defender tweeting, “She’s allowed to feel! Divorce isn’t a light switch 
.” The divide showed how deeply Lisa’s story resonates, touching nerves about love, loss, and public scrutiny.
A Year of Highs and Lows 
Lisa’s 2024 was a rollercoaster, making her post even more poignant. After splitting from electrician James Green in 2023—her first romance post-Ant—she faced setbacks, like failing to sell her £2.3 million West London mansion, a divorce settlement relic. Yet, she shone professionally, glamming up Strictly stars and earning raves for her bold looks at Blackpool’s November wrap party. Her Instagram hinted at personal growth, with December quotes like, “You spent 2024 in survival mode. 2025 is your time to rise, rebuild, and thrive.”
Ant’s baby news, though, was a curveball. Reports suggest Lisa learned of Anne-Marie’s pregnancy privately, giving her months to process, but the public reveal—complete with Wilder’s name and family joy—hit hard. “It’s like watching your past move on without you,” an insider told Mirror Online. Her post’s mention of “wiping your own tears” felt like a nod to those quiet moments, away from the cameras, where she’s rebuilt herself. 
The Nursery Drama Connection 
The timing of this article aligns with fresh Ant news: leaked blueprints for a £6 million nursery renovation at his Wimbledon mansion, detailed in The Sun. While Lisa’s May post predates these leaks, her silence since Wilder’s birth makes fans wonder if she’s watching Ant’s family plans unfold with mixed emotions. X users tied the dots, posting, “Lisa’s post back then said it all—now Ant’s building a nursery palace? Ouch .” The contrast—Ant’s lavish family glow-up versus Lisa’s introspective solitude—adds layers to her cryptic words.
What’s Next for Lisa? 
Lisa’s kept a low profile since May, focusing on Strictly and personal projects like her makeup line. Her December 2024 baby news—celebrating a friend’s newborn, not her own—showed her embracing joy elsewhere, with Instagram pics of a boy in an elephant onesie captioned, “I can’t wait to meet you.” But Ant’s milestones keep circling back, and sources say she’s channeling pain into purpose. “2025 is her year,” a pal told Express.co.uk, hinting at new TV ventures.
No direct response to Wilder’s birth has followed her May post, and she’s dodged commenting on Ant’s nursery plans. Instead, she’s let quotes do the talking, like a January 2025 X share: “Your strength is your story.” Fans expect her to stay classy, maybe dropping more cryptic gems as she navigates single life. A rumored Strictly special could put her back in the spotlight, proving she’s more than Ant’s ex. 
Why This Resonates 
Lisa’s post isn’t just tabloid fodder—it’s a window into healing after public heartbreak. Her silence spoke volumes, but those words, shared at her lowest, hit universal chords: fighting unseen battles, staying strong, moving forward. For every fan cheering Ant’s dad era, there’s another rooting for Lisa’s comeback, proof that both stories can coexist. The leaks, the nursery, the rings—it’s all noise compared to her quiet resolve. 
Here’s to Lisa Armstrong, turning pain into power, one mysterious post at a time. 
