This appears to be the case for TV presenter Ant McPartlin and his ex-wife Lisa Armstrong. Their divorce case is done and dusted, but the pair reportedly can’t agree on who should have custody of the family dog. The chocolate Labrador Hurley is at the heart of a bitter battle between the two, if reports by LBC and other news outlets are to be believed.

 

The pair are understood to have adopted Hurley when they were struggling to conceive a child. And now, years after the divorce has been finalised, neither McPartlin or Armstrong will back down on who the beloved family pet should live with.

 

According to LBC, a source has said of the situation:

 

"Lisa has asked to have Hurley but Ant is saying no. He has two more dogs now, a new wife and two stepdaughters, but still he wants joint custody.

 

"It has led to some difficult conversations between Ant and Lisa. It’s all very sad. Ant has been able to move on, get remarried and get two more dogs. Lisa has been left to pick up the pieces."

 

At the time of the divorce, back in 2018, McPartlin is alleged to have told his lawyers:

 

"She can have anything she wants – except the dog."

 

He also said in a separate interview that the couple shared Hurley evenly, and that the pup’s welfare comes first.

 

When did Ant McPartlin and Lisa Armstrong get divorced?

 

Saturday Night Takeaway star McPartlin and Strictly Come Dancing make-up artist Armstrong married in 2006 after being together for a number of years.

 

They announced in 2018 that they were divorcing, following reports of McPartlin’s treatment for prescription drug addiction. The shock announcement also came just before McPartlin was involved in a road traffic accident and charged with drink-driving.

 

The divorce was finalised in October 2018, although a financial settlement came much later. It took until January 2020 for an agreement to be reached, in which McPartlin would pay his ex a total of £31 million. This was believed to be around half of his £62 million fortune.

 

It was also agreed that Armstrong would keep the family home in West London, understood to be worth at least £5 million.

 

At the time, an insider told a major newspaper:

 

"Ant and Lisa agreed to settle and sign their divorce agreement during a productive and civil meeting on Tuesday.

 

"Ant made a very generous settlement that works out to be more than half of everything that he has.

 

"He is delighted because it means he can put what has been a very difficult chapter in his life behind him and move on."

 

If you need help resolving difficult financial or family matters during divorce, our Liverpool divorce solicitors are here to help you find a solution. Get in touch for your free, no-obligation consultation.