Lisa Armstrong makes rare supportive gesture amid finale of Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway

Ant McPartlin's ex-wife Lisa Armstrong made a rare show of support for Ant and Dec during the final episode of Saturday Night Takeaway.

The makeup artist joined fans on reacting to the last ever episode of the family entertainment show, which has been on air for over two decades. Ant and his best friend and TV partner, Declan Donnelly, announced earlier this year that they were retiring their popular show.

Viewers congratulated the pair on social media, with Lisa also showing her support in a notable move. Ahead of the final episode of Saturday Night Takeaway, Lisa Armstrong showed her support by liking a heartfelt tribute from a colleague that praised Ant and Dec as 'simply the best'.

As reports The Mirror, the post read: "After 20 years this amazing show is coming to a end it's been a real joy and pleasure to have been there from the beginning, and in my 30 year career in showbiz I've worked with some brilliant people but these two are simply the best! Great friendships and memories made."

The final episode was packed with surprises and special guests, including Simon Cowell and Holly Willoughby, and ended with an emotional farewell from the duo.

This action marks a significant shift for Lisa, who has previously used her social media to endorse posts critical of her ex-husband's actions and to express solidarity with her journey as a newly single woman.

Lisa was once a central figure in Ant and Dec's inner circle, having been in a relationship with Ant for 23 years and married to him for 11. She also had a close bond with Dec, who was the best man at their 2006 wedding. Lisa shares many ITV friends with the duo, having worked on Britain's Got Talent for several years before her split from Ant.

The entertainment world was taken aback when Ant and Lisa announced their separation in 2018, which came just eight months after Ant had completed a stint in rehab. The celebrity makeup artist had remained steadfastly supportive during his public struggle with addiction issues.

At the time, a spokesperson released a statement saying: "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."

The announcement was unexpected, especially since Ant had previously dismissed speculation about marital troubles prior to his first visit to rehab in 2017. Reflecting on the impact of his struggles, he admitted: "I've put Lisa through hell with mood swings and depression and how it affects you. I'm very sorry about the effect it has on partners."

A year after his split with Lisa, Ant's romance with PA Anne-Marie was revealed. Lisa took to Twitter to express her shock, stating she found out about the new couple through the papers like everyone else.

She accused Anne-Marie, a mum-of-two who had worked for the married couple for six years and even organised their 10th wedding anniversary party in 2016, of breaking 'girl code'. Ant admitted to adultery as his relationship with Anne-Marie began while they were still married, albeit separated.

In October 2018, Ant and Lisa were granted a decree nisi in a hearing that lasted less than 30 seconds. Court documents revealed that Lisa filed for divorce because Ant became 'intolerable to live with'.

On Saturday night, Ant and Dec became emotional as they concluded their final ever episode of Saturday Night Takeaway after a 20 series run.

The Geordie pair revealed that they would be halting the ITV1 entertainment series for a break. Ant shared with viewers: "Saturday Night Takeaway is the kind of show Dec and I watched every Saturday growing up, so it's been an honour and a privilege to have made the show and to have been part of your Saturday nights for over 20 years."

Donnelly added: "When we started this back in 2002, we thought we'd be lucky if we got to do this for maybe a couple of years, so what's happened has honestly been beyond our wildest dreams. We have truly adored every second of making the show, but there's one thing we've never ever forgotten, and that's the fact it's not our show it's your show. So we'd like to say a massive thank you to you, our incredible audience."

The duo then revisited notable clips from the past two decades of the show before participating in a grand musical spectacle alongside McFly, who performed their hit song "All About You" along with the two presenters.

In a touching moment, the hosts bid farewell to their audience and celebrities for participating in the show which was accompanied by them singing Kool and The Gang's 'Celebration' across the studio.

The grand finale on Saturday, which lasted two hours, opened with musician Craig David DJing to the studio crowd before McPartlin informed the internal audience that the conclusion would be "going to be emotional".

They ushered in pop group Girls Aloud, hinting at their impending reunion tour, mentioning that they'd be the announcers for the night, along with scientist Brian Cox. The duo also called in S Club, Tony Hadley, and the Kaiser Chiefs to perform the latter's hit 'I Predict A Riot' after the sing-a-long contest.

Having first met on the teen drama Byker Grove, Ant and Dec have been a dynamic duo for more than 30 years and unveiled Saturday Night Takeaway back in 2002. Yet fans won't have to miss their antics for long as the pair will soon host a fresh series of Britain's Got Talent set to premiere next week.

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