Ant McPartlin is said to be heartbroken following the death of his beloved dog Hurley — the pet who stood by him through some of the most painful and turbulent chapters 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 that Hurley’s condition had suddenly deteriorated. Sources say Ant rushed to the vets, where he and his ex-wife Lisa Armstrong made the devastating 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 tension
Despite their famously strained relationship following their split in 2018, Ant and Lisa are understood to have come together for Hurley’s final moments — a rare show of unity after years of distance.
Friends say Ant was “very upset” by the loss, describing the decision as one of the hardest he has faced in years.
The moment carries added emotional weight given the bitter custody dispute that once surrounded Hurley during Ant and Lisa’s divorce. At the time, the former couple reportedly clashed over who would keep the dog, eventually agreeing to a shared arrangement.
The situation was said to be so fraught that Ant’s chauffeur would ferry Hurley between them to avoid direct contact.
At the height of negotiations, Ant was reported to have told lawyers:
“She can have anything she wants — except the dog.”
More than a pet
Hurley was far more than a companion to Ant. During his well-documented battle with alcohol and drug addiction, the dog became a constant source of comfort and stability.
Speaking candidly after 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 said.
“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’s quiet tribute
Following Hurley’s death, Lisa shared a subtle yet poignant Instagram post showing a girl releasing hearts into the sky — widely interpreted by fans as a farewell to her “baby boy,” as she often referred to the dog.
Her final public photo with Hurley had been posted 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. It was reported last week that she quietly split from actor boyfriend Grant Kilburn just weeks after friends said she was “happier than ever.”
A chapter closes
Friends have previously said Lisa found renewed confidence and strength in recent years, focusing on her career and personal growth after a long period of emotional upheaval.
Now, with Hurley gone — the dog who symbolised comfort, loyalty, and an unbreakable link between two lives that moved on separately — both Ant and Lisa are said to be quietly grieving a loss that cuts far deeper than headlines suggest.
A representative for Ant McPartlin and Lisa Armstrong has been contacted for comment.
Source: Daily Mail
