In a poignant conclusion to their shared pet ownership, television presenter Ant McPartlin and his former spouse Lisa Armstrong have decided to split the ashes of their cherished brown Labrador, Hurley, equally between them. This emotional arrangement follows the sad passing of the dog last month, which had remained a final connection between the ex-couple since their divorce in 2018.
A Shared Grief and Final Farewell
Hurley, who was 12 years old, was euthanised after battling a severe illness, with Ant holding him during his final moments. The decision to divide the ashes 50/50 was made to allow both Ant and Lisa to hold individual farewells and pay tribute to their beloved pet separately. This move effectively severs the last tie between the pair, who had maintained a co-parenting arrangement for Hurley, swapping custody every other week despite their strained relationship post-divorce.
Escaping to Grieve Abroad
In the aftermath of Hurley's death, both Ant and Lisa left the country to process their grief. Ant travelled to Portugal, while Lisa headed to Los Angeles. During their time abroad, they arranged for Hurley to be cremated, with plans to collect their respective portions of the ashes upon their return. A source close to the situation revealed that Ant has already retrieved his share, and Lisa intends to do the same when she comes back from her trip.
The source explained, "Ant and Lisa agreed to share Hurley's ashes 50/50. It's a decision they felt was fair, and it means they'll both be able to hold their own farewells." The ashes will be buried separately, enabling each to regularly visit and honour Hurley's memory at their own homes.
Hurley's Role in Ant's Life
Hurley held a special place in Ant's heart, credited with helping him through his struggles with addiction. The Labrador's death has left a profound impact, as Ant shared on his new podcast with co-host Declan Donnelly. He recounted the emotional moment, saying, "He passed away in my arms. We were at the vet, and we were all there to see him, all the family, everyone that he loved was there, and it was all very sad, but it was a very lovely moment when we all got to say goodbye to him."
Ant expressed his ongoing sorrow, noting, "I've cried a lot. For anyone who has lost a pet that is beloved to them, then my heart goes out to you, and I know how you feel because it's tough. You're just reminded of him all the time." He described crying during walks with his other dogs and while preparing their food, as Hurley's absence is deeply felt.
A History of Ups and Downs
Ant and Lisa, who met as teenagers and married in 2006, were once considered television's golden couple. However, their 11-year marriage faced challenges, including difficulties in starting a family, leading to their divorce in 2018 after a contentious £30 million settlement. Despite their feud, their mutual love for Hurley kept them connected through the co-parenting arrangement, though they reportedly avoided direct contact during handovers.
This final act of dividing Hurley's ashes marks the end of that chapter, allowing both to move forward while preserving their individual memories of a pet that meant so much to them during their marriage and beyond.
