Ant McPartlin has apologised for missing a High Court hearing over his divorce settlement with ex-wife Lisa Armstrong after the judge 'told him off' over the no show.

Lisa, 42, was at the Royal Courts of Justice to discuss division of assets, with the Strictly Come Dancing make-up guru set to receive around £30million, about half of what Ant earned during their 12-year marriage.

Instead the celebrity was seen walking his dog Hurley through Wimbledon Common with former PA and new partner Anne-Marie Corbett, also 42.

The chocolate labrador also forms part of the case as who gets custody of the beloved pet is still to be decided.

The hearing was held in private and Mr Justice Mostyn limited what could be reported, but questioned Ant's barrister Jonathan Southgate QC over the star's absence.

Lisa Armstrong is pictured arriving at the High Court in London this morning for the latest hearing in her divorce with Ant McPartlin, who was 'told off' by the judge for not turning up today. Ant was walking his labrador Hurley, right, in Wimbledon this morning, right

A statement issued by Ant's representatives today apologised for him missing the hearing. He is pictured in Wimbledon today

A statement issued by the celebrity's representatives after the hearing said: 'Ant was advised by his media barrister that he didn't need to attend court today.

'There was absolutely no intent to disrespect the court.'

Earlier the judge said: 'Why is he not here? There isn't one law for the famous and one for the rest of the community.

'The rules say he was supposed to be here - and that can be reported.'

Mr Justice Mostyn, who was previously a successful divorce barrister nicknamed 'Mr Payout' for securing huge settlements and decisions, added: 'He has been told off.'

The judge indicated that he might have excused Ant's non-attendance had he been contacted in advance and given a reason for it.

Mr Justice Mostyn, pictured, 'told off' Ant for failing to appear and for not 'following the rules'

Ant, pictured with Lisa right at the 2017 National Television Awards, has since started a relationship with former PA Anne-Marie Corbett, pictured with the presenter left in September

The hearing also discussed who gets to keep the former couple's beloved labrador Hurley, pictured with Ant in London in August 2017

Since the break-up in January, Ant, 42, has endured a turbulent year including being banned from the roads for drink-driving.

High Court judge Mr Justice Mostyn oversaw a preliminary hearing over the division of assets in the Family Division of the High Court this morning.

He has placed limits on what can be reported, but said the former couple could be named by the media.

Mr Justice Mostyn considered issues relating to the reporting of any future hearings.

He ruled that detail relating to the pair's confidential financial information would not be permitted.

Further hearings are expected to take place in the near future.

The judge, 61, earned the nickname 'Mr Payout' during his previous career as a barrister, winning a £4million settlement for Karen Parlour, wife of former Arsenal footballer Ray, in 2004 by successfully arguing she played an important role in his career by 'curbing his drinking'.

The former couple are understood to want to get the divorce over 'quickly'. Lisa is pictured left at court while Ant, who said he meant no 'disrespect' by missing the hearing, is right in Wimbledon

He also represented Sir Paul McCartney in his divorce with Heather Mills in 2008 and Earl Spencer, brother of Lady Diana, after his split from second wife Carolyn Freud.

Earl Spencer ended up suing the then-barrister after shelling out more than £5million to his ex-wife, claiming Mr Justice Mostyn had failed to warn him about changes in the law that meant his case would not be heard in private.

Mr Justice Mostyn was later caught up in his own controversial divorce when he left his wife of 29 years for barrister Elizabeth Saunders.

In 2015 he was even removed from two separate cases for being 'too passionate' about the law, including one on a divorce between former mining tycoon David Mann and his wife Shelley when he threatened to jail the businessman for falling behind on his payments following a £2million settlement.

Judge Alun Jenkins granted the couple - who first met in the 1990s when Lisa was in pop band Deuce - a decree nisi at hearing in the the Central Family Court in London in London in October.

Court documents revealed that McPartlin had 'committed adultery' with his new girlfriend Anne-Marie and that his former wife found it 'intolerable to live with' the TV star.

Under divorce laws, Ant technically had to admit adultery because he was still married when the relationship began.

Ant, left, previously announced that he is stepping down from all his TV commitments and will not appear on the next series of I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, which he has co-hosted with best friend Declan Donnelly, right

It comes weeks after Ant splashed cash on a £5million house in south west London as a 'renovation project'.

Sources claimed the house would give him something to do while I'm A Celebrity is filmed in Australia and provide him with a 'fresh start'.

Although Anne-Marie will not be moving in, she will live close by with her two children while they 'take their relationship slowly'.

'Mr Payout': How judge who admonished Ant is a former top divorce lawyer to the stars Mr Justice Mostyn was previously a successful divorce barrister nicknamed 'Mr Payout' for securing multi-million pound settlements and decisions. The judge, 61, helped cement his status after winning a £4million settlement for Karen Parlour, wife of former Arsenal footballer Ray, in 2004 by successfully arguing she played an important role in his career by 'curbing his drinking'. He also represented Sir Paul McCartney in his divorce with Heather Mills in 2008 and Earl Spencer, brother of Lady Diana, after his split from second wife Carolyn Freud. Earl Spencer ended up suing the then-barrister after shelling out more than £5million to his ex-wife, claiming Mr Justice Mostyn had failed to warn him about changes in the law that meant his case would not be heard in private. Mr Justice Mostyn was later caught up in his own controversial divorce when he left his wife of 29 years for barrister Elizabeth Saunders. In 2015 he was even removed from two separate cases for being 'too passionate' about the law, including one on a divorce between former mining tycoon David Mann and his wife Shelley when he threatened to jail the businessman for falling behind on his payments following a £2million settlement. Advertisement

Previously Ant lived next door to best friend Declan Donnelly in Chiswick but they are now around a half hour drive from each other.

According to the Mirror, the Saturday Night Takeaway star is paying Lisa's legal bills and also funded her recent holiday to Los Angeles.

A source told the website: 'Ant is paying for all of Lisa's legal fees.

'He is still helping her financially with other expenses, like when she went on holiday to LA.

'It is amicable and things are moving forward. Ant wants it done as quickly and fairly as possible, so they can move on with their lives.'

The source added Ant hopes to settle in 'weeks rather than months.'

But Lisa is also understood to have refused to sign a non-disclosure agreement because she does not want to be 'gagged'.

Aside from liking tweets and social media posts, Lisa has kept a dignified silence when it comes to the split and there is nothing to suggest she is planning talking about their relationship.

There is no love lost between the former flames who were romantically together for 23 years.

Lisa has not officially commented, but liked Twitter comments from friends telling her 'good things come to kind people' and 'pull on your big girls pants, it's your turn to start afresh'.

Since learning of her former colleague's relationship with her estranged husband, Lisa has revealed that she didn't know the two were dating until she saw pictures of them together in a newspaper.

Ant has even made her the background on his mobile phone.

In 2017, Ant entered rehab after struggling with a two-year addiction to super-strength painkillers following a knee operation in 2015.

In April, three months after announcing his split from Lisa, he was banned from driving for 20 months and fined £86,000 for being more than twice the legal limit.

After the incident and another rehab visit, Ant announced that he is stepping down from all his TV commitments and will not appear on the next series of I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!

According to reports, the Geordie presenter, pictured with Lisa at the Baftas in 2015, has bought a £5million house in south west London to renovate as part of his recovery from a drink and prescription drug addiction

Lisa Armstrong recently celebrated her first birthday without ex-husband Ant McPartlin and dazzled in a black mini dress

Friends of Lisa made sure to document the festivities on social media and pictured showed Lisa enjoying cocktails served by a butler in the buff

It has since been revealed that Holly Willoughby will replace the presenter on the hit ITV Australian jungle series with his co-host Dec later this year.

Lisa celebrated her first birthday without Ant for more than 20 years last month and was inundated with messages of support from friends.

Friends of Lisa made sure to document the festivities on social media, despite the birthday girl herself refraining, and snaps saw Lisa enjoying cocktails served by a shirtless waiter.

Lisa's friends and fellow make-up artists Tara Hickman and Lydia Barnes revealed the birthday girl had been treated to her very own butler in the buff for the party, that appeared to be hosted in Lisa's home, as they thanked her for having them.

They shared shots of the group posing with the muscular waiter - although Lisa appeared to be missing from the snap.

Professional dancer Giovanni Pernice was one of the first to send her regards on her special day on social media.

He shared a picture of them both, with Lisa wearing bunny ears, writing: 'Happy bday to this beauty !!! @lisaAmakeup have the best day!!! Love ya.'

A host of fans also sent their well wishes and posted pictures of Lisa in her pop star days, when she was in Deuce.

Meanwhile Lisa has also been spotted in good spirits on the set of Strictly with celebrity dancers including Seann Walsh.

Looking after her: Lisa Armstrong will be supported by her Strictly pals on her first birthday without ex husband Ant McPartlin on Friday following divorce