Ant McPartlin finds love with his personal assistant Anne-Marie Corbett after they grew close during his year of turmoil
Sources say mum-of-two Anne-Marie has been by his side through his 'lowest depths' and her unwavering support has helped him on the road to recovery
TROUBLED Ant McPartlin has found love again — with his personal assistant.
His romance with Anne-Marie Corbett blossomed as she supported the star, 42, through drink and drug problems.
The separated mum, 42, also stood by Ant — who is divorcing his wife — during his drink-driving crash shame.
A source said: “Anne-Marie’s put him back together again. Everyone’s thrilled he’s found someone to love.”
She was pictured walking Ant’s dog with him in The Sun on Sunday in April after he left rehab.
One told The Sun on Sunday: “He’s had a tough time of it, but Anne-Marie has put a smile back on his face again. She has been his rock.
“They have been living in each other’s pockets, day in, day out.
“Knowing someone is there for him has brought him back from the brink — she’s put him back together again.
“It’s very early days, but everyone is hoping he can put the worst year of his life behind him and find happiness again. Both of them deserve it.”
In a show of support and commitment, Anne-Marie was with Ant when he was taken to a police station after his arrest for drink-driving in March — and again when he appeared in court.
The I’m A Celebrity presenter was fined £86,000 and given a 20-month road ban.
Anne-Marie has been on hand any time he feels he needs help to overcome any urges to drink.
She separated from her husband Scott last October. They have two children.
Sources stressed Ant was not linked in any way to her marriage break-up.
In January this year, Ant announced he was divorcing his wife of 11 years, Lisa Armstrong.
They have been having legal discussions but there have been no divorce hearings in court so far.
Ant’s new relationship echoes that of his devoted TV partner Declan Donnelly.
Dec, 42, is expecting his first child with wife Ali Astall in September.
They had also worked together. Ali was Dec and Ant’s manager.
Anne-Marie has been employed by the same London-based management company as Ali for ten years but only recently began working closely with Ant.
The source added: “She’s been at his side for this whole ordeal, often when everyone else has gone away.
“His lowest moment was when the drink-drive case judge said he had lost his good character, but Anne-Marie stayed supporting him.
“She has worked with him for a while as his PA and things have always been strictly professional.
“But recently something changed and they started becoming more than just friends.
“Both of them are single so they decided to try and see whether something could happen.
“They haven’t actually been on any official dates but they’ve been seen together, with Ant always beaming from ear to ear. They don’t live together, but have been living out of each other’s pockets.
“Since he has come out of rehab, Ant can’t really go out socialising, to restaurants or anything like that.
“It means he has spent an awful lot of time with her and has realised she’s the one for him.”
The pair have been seen together as early as March this year when she sent him off to work with a packed lunch. They were spotted again this month enjoying a shopping trip at Harrods, with Ant looking healthy and happy.
Ant has had to take time out from television to rebuild his life following his drink-drive shame and a spell in rehab.
He gave his blessing to partner Dec to present their Saturday Night Takeaway show alone. Dec went on to host the live finals of Britain’s Got Talent without him.
Ant had previously entered rehab last summer for drug addiction after getting hooked on super-strong painkillers.
He exclusively told The Sun on Sunday how he got into the pills after a botched op on his knee in 2015 left him in agony.
Ant’s new romance and recovery could mean he is ready to step back into the limelight.
The insider added: “Anne-Marie has given Ant a whole new outlook. He’s done so well since they got together romantically.
“Everyone knows he has ruled out TV work for now, but there’s a possibility after summer he could decide to return to I’m A Celeb.
“That’s how far things have changed — all thanks to Anne- Marie.” Last night a spokesman for Ant declined to comment.
SHE'S A SHINING LIGHT
IT’S wonderful to see Ant with a smile on his face again after nearly a year of problems.
He was at his lowest ebb on the day he stood before a judge telling him his drink-drive conviction had cost him his reputation.
But Anne-Marie was there to support him and has stayed throughout his rehab.
She helped him back from the brink, an act Ant has acknowledged by falling for her.
There’s still a long way to go as he continues his fight for health. But the nation will be willing him some happiness.
He must have had some desperately lonely moments. Having Anne-Marie by his side will have brightened those dark days.
It’s no wonder he already regards her his rock.
By Clemmie Moodie
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How joy turned to agony for presenter
JULY 22, 2006: Ant marries long-term girlfriend Lisa Armstrong at glitzy bash, with pal Dec as his best man.
JUNE 18, 2017: Sun on Sunday reveals Ant’s painkiller and booze addiction hell and that he has checked himself into rehab.
AUGUST 21, 2017: The star leaves the clinic and returns home.
SEPTEMBER 22, 2017: The Sun tells how Ant and Lisa’s marriage is rumoured to be on the rocks due to his addiction woes.
NOVEMBER 6, 2017: Ant moves into a £4.5million bachelor pad in West London, around the corner from his wife.
NOVEMBER 12, 2017: Ant reunites with Dec to start filming I’m A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here!
DECEMBER 19, 2017: Lisa hits back at online trolls speculating about their marriage, by writing: “Educate yourself first love and get your facts right.”
JANUARY 15, 2018: Ant announces he and Lisa are to divorce.
MARCH 18, 2018: Ant is involved in three-car crash in Richmond, South West London, and is arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.
MARCH 19, 2018: He goes back into rehab after a night in cells — immediately stepping down from TV duties.
APRIL 7, 2018: It emerges Ant was twice the drink-drive limit when he crashed.
APRIL 16, 2018: Ant admits drink-driving at court, is fined £86,000 and gets 20-month ban.
MARCH 31, 2018: Dec appears on telly without Ant for the first time as he hosts Saturday Night Takeaway alone.
APRIL 29, 2018: The Sun on Sunday reveals Ant has left rehab.
MAY 16, 2018: Ant and Dec are pictured for first time together since crash, having lunch at a South London hotel.
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