Ant McPartlin told off by judge for not attending £62m divorce hearing saying 'there isn't one law for the famous and another for the community'

ANT McPartlin was today told off by a High Court judge after failing to attend his £62m divorce hearing.

His former wife Lisa Armstrong turned up to the hearing this morning but a judge slammed the TV star, saying: "There isn't one law for the famous and another for the community."

Ant was not present for the hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London and Mr Justice Mostyn asked his lawyer where his client was.

He said: "Why is he not here? There isn't one law for the famous and one for the rest of the community.

"The rules say he was supposed to be here – and that can be reported. He has been told off."

Lisa was granted a divorce last month over the I’m A Celeb star’s adultery and because he was “intolerable to live with”.


Their 11-year marriage came to end in just 30 seconds and Ant, 42, raised no objections to Lisa's claims and neither attended the hearing at London's Central Family Court.

And Lisa, 41, was seen arriving at the Royal Courts of Justice, to start legal arguments with her husband over money regarding their divorce settlement.

It is believed the custody of their chocolate labrador Hurley will also be discussed during the hearing.

The former teenage sweethearts, who announced their split in January with an emotional statement, are thrashing out a settlement over Ant's £62million.


But Strictly make-up artist Lisa won't agree to be gagged as part of a deal and is refusing to sign a non-disclosure agreement to stop her talking about Ant's behaviour.

A source said: “It isn’t about money for Lisa. It’s about principles. She's done nothing wrong during the marriage.

"So why should she sign a piece of paper that effectively prevents her from revealing details of her marriage.

“She is determined to speak out at some point. She won’t be gagged.”

Troubled Ant has been battling prescription drug addiction and was fined £86,000 in March after a drink drive smash.

Lisa filed for divorce after the Sun on Sunday revealed Ant's new relationship with their personal assistant Anne-Marie Corbett, 42, in June.


Court documents state that Judge Alun Jenkins "held that the respondent has committed adultery and that the petitioner finds it intolerable to live with the respondent." Unless "sufficient cause be shown" within six weeks, the marriage will be dissolved with a decree absolute.

Ant — who is worth an estimated £62million — was believed to be happy to give Lisa a huge settlement that reflected the fact they had been together for 23 years.

The couple met at a roadshow in Newcastle in the mid-1990s while Lisa was an aspiring pop star in Deuce.


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Ant confirmed in January that he and his wife were splitting following months of speculation about their relationship.

In a statement issued at the time, a representative said: "In response to the recent speculation in the media, Ant is very sad to announce that, after 11 years, he is ending his marriage to Lisa McPartlin.

"Ant asks for privacy at this difficult time, for both himself, Lisa and their immediate families."

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