GEORDIE television presenter Ant McPartlin has been told off by a High Court judge after failing to attend a preliminary hearing of a divorce court fight over money with his estranged wife Lisa Armstrong.
Ms Armstrong attended the hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London on Monday.
McPartlin was not in court but was represented by lawyers.
Lisa Armstrong arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice, to start legal arguments with her husband, Ant McPartlin, over money regarding their divorce settlement. Picture: PA
Mr Justice Mostyn said McPartlin should have been present.
The hearing was staged in private and Mr Justice Mostyn placed limits on what could be reported.
But he said journalists could name McPartlin and Ms Armstrong in reports of the hearing.
He also said they could report that McPartlin had been "told off" for not attending.
"Why is he not here?" Mr Justice Mostyn asked barrister Jonathan Southgate QC, who is leading McPartlin's legal team.
"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 added: "He has been told off."
The judge indicated that he might have excused McPartlin's non-attendance had he been contacted in advance and given a reason for it.
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