Lisa Armstrong was reunited with a former bandmate on Thursday as she continues to grieve the recent death of pet dog Hurley, the loveable labrador she shared with ex-husband Ant McPartlin.
The make-up artist was accompanied by close friend Craig Robert Young, with whom she enjoyed fleeting fame as one half of manufactured pop group Deuce in the 1990s, during a brunch date in Los Angeles.
Armstrong, 49, looked relaxed in a loose fitting sweater and cargo pants as she ventured out with Young, who relocated to the United States in 2001, and his husband, advertising executive and film producer Michael Di Girolamo.
Formed in 1994 by former Pet Shop Boys and East 17 manager Tom Watkins, Deuce – comprised of Armstrong, Young, Kelly O’Keefe and Paul Holmes – scored four top 30 singles in the United Kingdom before disbanding in 1997.
While the BRIT school educated Armstrong would subsequently establish herself as a successful TV makeup artist on a string of primetime shows, notably The X Factor, Strictly Come Dancing and Britain’s Got Talent, Young moved to Los Angeles and pursued a career in acting.
His various screen credits include appearances in popular US TV shows Charmed, Sabrina The Teenage Witch, Melrose Place and Lost – an instant international hit for showrunner JJ Abrams following its initial 2004 launch.
Lisa Armstrong was reunited with former Deuce bandmate Craig Robert Young on Thursday as she continues to grieve the death of pet dog Hurley, the labrador she shared with Ant McPartlin
Armstrong looked relaxed in a loose fitting sweater and cargo pants as she ventured out with Young and his husband, advertising executive and film producer Michael Di Girolamo (pictured)
The actor also had a starring role as silent film legend Charlie Chaplin in director David Fincher’s 2020 film Manc, an autobiographical drama about the life and times of Hollywood screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz.
Armstrong and her ex-husband are currently recovering from the death of 12-year old dog Hurley, who was put to sleep in February after struggling with an illness.
So devoted were the couple to their chocolate brown labrador that it became the subject of a custody battle during their acrimonious divorce in 2018.
It’s understood that McPartlin was aware of Hurley’s weakening condition and raced to join his ex-wife at a veterinary clinic after taking part in a Britain’s Got Talent press conference in London, with the former couple subsequently agreeing to have him put to sleep.
The TV presenter previously spoke of his bond with Hurley during an interview with The Sun On Sunday in 2019, following a stint in residential rehabilitation for alcohol and prescription drug dependency.
He said: ‘There’s a loyalty and a love and a companionship with Hurley that you can’t describe. He never tells me off and is always pleased to see me.
‘I came out of a shop the other day and there was a woman on the floor cuddling Hurley. She said to me, “It’s the dog from the papers!” Hurley’s a celebrity.’
The Saturday Night Takeaway star split from Armstrong in 2018 after 11 years of marriage and went on to marry his former personal assistant, Anne-Marie Corbett, in 2021.
McPartlin is said to have refused to surrender full custody of Hurley to his ex during their divorce battle, reportedly telling lawyers: ‘She can have anything she wants – except the dog.’
The arrangement led to the TV presenter’s chauffeur ferrying the dog between the two of them so they did not have to see each other.
The pair adopted the dog in 2013 after struggling to have children together during their 13-year marriage.
While the BRIT school educated Armstrong has established herself as a successful TV makeup artist, Young is now a Los Angeles based actor, having moved to the city in 2001
Armstrong and her ex-husband are currently recovering from the death of 12-year old dog Hurley, who was put to sleep in February after struggling with an illness.
Armstrong was seen smoking a cigarette as she checked her phone during a brunch date in Los Angeles
The make-up artist appeared to be in high spirits while walking alongside Young’s husband
Armstrong has maintained a strong friendship with Young, who married Michael Di Girolamo (pictured) in December 2023
Formed in 1994, Deuce scored four top 30 singles in the United Kingdom before disbanding in 1997 (L-R: Paul Holmes, Lisa Armstrong, Kelly O’Keefe and Craig Robert Young)
Armstrong and Young were seen emerging from a car as they ventured out for food
Armstrong stopped off at a local supply store for a new tote bag during her latest day out in southern California
The make-up artist appeared to be making the most of her trip to Los Angeles after flying to the United States from London
Ant McPartlin has also emotionally paid tribute to beloved Hurley as he revealed he has ‘cried a lot’ following his death
Armstrong had regularly shared snaps of Hurley on Instagram, calling the beloved dog her ‘baby boy’.
Her last post with Hurley showed him lying on her bed to mark International Dog Day in August last year.
McPartlin became a father for the first time in May 2024, when he welcomed his first child, son Wilder, with wife Anne-Marie. The couple also have two Maltipoos, Milo and Bumble.
The loss of Hurley comes after Armstrong’s recent split from her actor boyfriend, Grant Kilburn.
The couple are said to have parted ways last month, just weeks after friends claimed she was ‘happier than ever’ in her new relationship.
The Daily Mail has contacted Lisa’s representatives for comment.
