Following a month-long trip to LA, Lisa has returned to the UK ready to start negotiations over the Britain’s Got Talent host’s £62million fortune.
A source said: “Lisa has repeatedly met with Ayesha Vardag — nicknamed the Diva of Divorce. She charges £845 an hour and is one of the toughest divorce lawyers in the world.”
Ayesha once said: “A separating couple will often race to get me to represent them and not the other side.”
In a landmark case, the London-based mum-of-three won £64million for Pauline Chai in her divorce from Laura Ashley chairman Khoo Kay Peng.
Lisa, who is Strictly’s lead make-up artist, is believed to have instructed law firm Harbottle and Lewis which represented Lousie Redknapp during her split from husband Jamie, but has also stayed in contact with Ayesha.
This week Ant confirmed he is taking the rest of the year off to focus on his recovery. That means he will not join Declan Donnelly in Australia for the upcoming series of I’m A Celebrity. . . Get Me Out Of Here.
Pals of Ant, who is now dating his assistant Anne-Marie Corbett, say he is desperate to resolve his personal troubles before returning to our screens.
He already offered Lisa their multi-million former home in west London in return for a quickie divorce.
Our source added: “Lisa doesn’t need to be hasty.”
Emma Gill, head of Ayesha Vardag’s Manchester office, said: “All of Ant’s cash was made during their relationship.
Ant has decided he will not join his co-star Declan Donnelly in the jungle this year for I'm A Celebrity
“Even though they split in January, his relationship with Anne-Marie could be classed as cheating in the eyes of the law.
“Ant and Lisa’s beloved dog Hurley could also be a sticking point.”
It’s unlikely Ant and Lisa will ever be pedigree chums again.
READ ON FOR MORE LAURA ARMSTRONG AND NATALIE EDWARDS' BIZ ON SUNDAY COLUMN
Scary dishes the dirt
THE final nail in the Spice Girls reunion coffin is set to be hammered in by the one who wants it to happen the most – Mel B.
Publishing insiders are staggered at the intimate rows she discusses in her upcoming autobiography, including bust-ups with Geri Horner and Victoria Beckam.
A source said: “After the book comes out, there’ll be no hope of the Spice Girls getting back together. It’s going to dig up a lot of old dirt.
“Mel talks about how Victoria wouldn’t lend her anything from her fashion range when it launched and told her to pay for dresses, which went down like a lead balloon.”
Mel also faces being quizzed in court over allegations of her cocaine use and heavy drinking.
Former nanny Lorraine Gilles’ lawyers intend to put Mel on the stand as her libel case rumbles on.
In September, The Sun revealed Mel’s ex-husband Stephen Belafonte has footage showing her with drugs.
Davina Ex Nod
THE estranged hubby of Davina McCall has got the green light to add to his new bachelor pad, including a reading corner for swotting up on divorce papers.
Former Pet Rescue host Matthew Robertson has a four-bedroom pad three miles from the family home in East Sussex, which is for sale at £6.25million.
A source said his plans include “a secluded snug and TV corner, an open-plan kitchen and three ensuite bathrooms for when their kids stay”.
He’s been watching Grand Designs rather than Long Lost Family.
Nic and Rita get leggy with it
STINTS as X Factor judges aren’t the only things singers Nicole Scherzinger and Rita Ora have in common.
Both can work a red-carpet leg-bomb to land a spot in Biz.
While our own summer catch-ups with mates usually involve warm fizz in the park, flip-flops and a vest-and-denim-shorts combo, Friday night’s Unicef Summer Gala in Sardinia, Italy, was high fashion all the way.
Sizzling in a red silk hanky top and matching skirt, Nicole treated fans to a peek of her pins. And Rita’s slashed-to-the-hip multicoloured dress showed why Kate Moss has snapped up the star for her model agency . . . though the singer had to stop to fix her outfit after giving fans a flash of her thong.
Louis Tomlinson and Robbie Williams won’t have quite the same effect when The X Factor returns.
Niall be back: Star link to 'classical 1D'
BETTER news for One Direction fans after Nick Grimshaw dismissed hopes of a reunion this week.
The band’s old bosses at Modest Management are plotting a classical version of the boyband . . . with the possible involvement of Niall Horan.
Spotify pianist sensation Alexis French, who has chalked up 75million streams to date, wants Niall to help bring his idea to the charts.
Alexis, whose new single Exhale is out now, told us: “I was talking to (Modest exec) Richard Griffiths, saying I’d love to put together a classical version of One Direction. So this is something I’m chatting to the team about. Wouldn’t it be fun if Niall got involved?
“One Direction’s fans are incredible and artistically that brand is so strong because of the direction they took – no pun intended – in terms of management, but also the component parts.”
Despite Grimmy’s doubts that pal Harry Styles can be persuaded to return, Alexis – whose album Evolution drops on August 31 – still holds out hope.
He added: “I’d love to see them get back together because I think they’re a fantastic gift to the world of music.”
Keep the faith, Directioners.
Girl's got material
THERE’S no NEED for Camila Cabello to send Madonna a birthday card when she turns 60 on Thursday, as this style-stealing stage outfit is tribute enough.
Fishnet tights? Check. Fingerless gloves? Check. Pearl choker necklace? Check.
The Havana -born hit-maker has been in Atlanta supporting Taylor Swift but don’t worry, Madge – she’s still Crazy For You.
Aston's new fame bid
FORMER JLS member Aston Merrygold is launching a modern TV version of iconic Eighties dance show Fame.
Aston, who took part in last year’s Strictly Come Dancing, is auditioning children aged between five and 17 for the project, which will be filmed at London’s Base Studios.
The star, who found fame on The X Factor when his band came second in 2008, said: “It’s time for the next generation to come through.
“With your own show you’re in control – and that provides less of a worry than you just wanting to get the job. You take creative control.”
That’s certainly one way to get back on the Beat Again.
Demi gets the boot
TROUBLED DEMI LOVATO has been dropped by the German footwear company Deichmann over her recent drug overdose.
The singer was set to follow Ellie Goulding’s example and release an autumn/winter range of shoes and boots with the company this month.
A source said: “It was impossible to see how the range could be released given the circumstances and timing of Demi’s relapse.”
Since being found unconscious at home in LA last month, Demi has cancelled her tour dates and is now in rehab.
She told fans: “My addiction is something I must continue to overcome and haven’t done yet.”
We’re rooting for you, Demi.
Cosmetic tweaks
WITH Love Island runner-up Laura Anderson showing off cosmetic tweaks to her face this week, it’s no surprise the industry has seen a boom in requests since the reality show ended last month.
Dr Nyla Raja, one of the UK’s top Botox doctors, says her phone has been ringing off the hook recently.
The skin specialist at the Medispa clinic in Wilmslow, Cheshire, revealed: “I have had a ten to 20 per cent rise in requests for dermal filler and a 20 to 30 per cent rise in enquiries about body sculpting.
“The most popular request has been lip fillers followed by cheek and jaw sculpting procedures.
“CoolSculpting – where discrete pockets of fat can be frozen – has been in massive demand, too.
“Also popular are skin-smoothing treatments such as cellulite removal or the bum sculpting treatment called the Aim Skulpt.”
Whatever happened to early nights and lots of water?
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