For Ant McPartlin, the loss cuts far deeper than headlines.
The TV star is said to be devastated following the death of his beloved dog Hurley — the constant companion who stood by him during addiction, heartbreak, and one of the most turbulent periods of his life.
The 50-year-old presenter reportedly made a last-minute dash from the launch of Britain’s Got Talent this week after learning Hurley’s condition had suddenly worsened. Sources say Ant rushed straight to the vets, where he and his ex-wife Lisa Armstrong were forced to make the agonising decision to have Hurley put to sleep after being told the 12-year-old dog was too ill to recover.
A Final Goodbye — After Years of Distance
Despite their famously strained relationship since their split in 2018, Ant and Lisa are understood to have come together for Hurley’s final moments — a rare moment of unity after years of emotional distance.
Friends describe Ant as “heartbroken,” saying the decision was one of the most painful he has faced in years.
The moment carried added weight given the bitter custody dispute that once surrounded Hurley during the couple’s divorce. At the time, Ant reportedly refused to give up full custody of the dog, famously telling lawyers:
“She can have anything she wants — except the dog.”
The tension was said to be so intense that Ant’s chauffeur would transport Hurley between them to avoid direct contact.
More Than a Pet — A Lifeline
To Ant, Hurley was never just a dog.
During his highly publicised battle with alcohol and drug addiction, Hurley became a source of routine, comfort and unconditional loyalty. Speaking candidly after leaving rehab in 2019, Ant once described their bond in deeply emotional terms:
“There’s a loyalty and a love and a companionship with Hurley that you can’t describe,”
“He never tells me off — and he’s always pleased to see me.”
He even joked that Hurley had become something of a celebrity himself, recalling moments when strangers recognised the dog from newspaper coverage — including one occasion when a woman was found sitting on a shop floor cuddling him.
Lisa Armstrong’s Quiet Farewell
Following Hurley’s death, Lisa shared a subtle but poignant Instagram post showing a girl releasing hearts into the sky — widely interpreted by fans as a farewell to the dog she often called her “baby boy.”
Her final public photo with Hurley was shared last August on International Dog Day, showing him resting peacefully on her bed — an image that has since taken on heartbreaking significance.
A Shared Past, Separate Lives
Ant and Lisa adopted Hurley in 2013 during their 13-year relationship, after struggling to have children together. Their marriage ended five years later, with Ant going on to marry Anne-Marie Corbett in 2021.
In May 2024, Ant became a father for the first time, welcoming son Wilder. He and Anne-Marie also share two Maltipoos, Milo and Bumble.
Lisa, meanwhile, is said to be navigating a fresh period of change herself, with reports emerging last week that she quietly split from actor boyfriend Grant Kilburn just weeks after friends said she was “happier than ever.”
The End of a Quiet Chapter
With Hurley gone, both Ant and Lisa are said to be quietly grieving a loss that symbolised far more than companionship.
For Ant, Hurley represented survival — a steady presence during chaos, addiction and recovery.
For Lisa, he was a constant in a life marked by sudden change.
And for both of them, Hurley remained the one bond that outlasted marriage, fame and separation.
A representative for Ant McPartlin and Lisa Armstrong has been contacted for comment.
Source: Daily Mail
