Latest news with #AntAnstead
Daily Mail
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Renee Zellweger cuts a quirky figure in a flat cap and shades at Edinburgh Film Festival following revelation she is living apart from boyfriend Ant Anstead amid his money troubles
Renee Zellweger cut a quirky figure as she stepped out during the annual Edinburgh Film Festival in Scotland on Saturday. The two time Oscar winner, 56, wore a flat cap and dark hades while paying a nod to her host country with a plaid scarf. Zellweger wrapped up warm in a black coat which she teamed with jeans and appeared in high spirits while posing for selfies outside a screening. It comes following learned that the actress and her British TV host boyfriend Ant Anstead had been living apart for the past year. The couple, who began dating in 2021, have not been seen together in public since early March when they were snapped supporting Anstead's young son at a soccer game. Known for his roles in TV shows Wheeler Dealers and Born Mechanic, has instead been spotted staying overnight at the Laguna Beach home of a glamorous California divorcée while Zellweger has been in New York filming for a TV show. Anstead, 46, is now facing bankruptcy for his car company, a raft of lawsuits demanding over $3million, and has been selling off his assets. In recent years he owned a multi-million-dollar house in the exclusive town of Laguna Beach, California, and was pictured in 2022 moving in with Zellweger in her $30,000-per-month clifftop home across the street. But for the past year he had downgraded to a modest, 832sqft, two-bed rental listed at $4,250 per month. Anstead's spokeswoman told the small house he left over a month ago 'was rented solely by Mr. Anstead'. His landlord confirmed Zellweger was not on the lease. The Bridget Jones's Diary star has been in New York City filming a new season of popular Hulu show, Only Murders in the Building, while Anstead was believed to be spending time in the UK, in recent weeks before returning to Laguna. His rep told he 'continues to remain private about his cherished personal relationship.' Zellweger's rep declined to comment. Meanwhile, a source close to the Bridget Jones star told they are still dating, despite living apart. But last week, Anstead was spotted staying overnight at a separate unit at the home of wealthy 36-year-old Laguna woman Julia French – who goes by 'Jules'. Jules, who has worked as a certified spin instructor at Rhythm Ride Laguna Beach according to her Facebook page, is currently divorcing her hedge fund founder husband, James Hanna III, the father of her two young children. A keen-eyed observer told that in recent months Anstead was even spotted meeting Jules on the beach for a sunset rendezvous, a romantic setting in the sought-after Southern California coastal town. However, the pair have never been seen engaging in any non-platonic behaviour. A source close to Anstead claimed he had been staying in the apartment on the property since he moved out of his modest rented house around April. 'One of her kids goes to the same school as Hudson. When Ant's working late or needs childcare, Hudson goes back with Jules' kids. Then in the evening Ant picks Hudson up,' the source said. 'But they've had this flirtatious friendship going on,' the insider added. 'So when he moved out of [his two-bed rental], he moved into the apartment above the garage at Jules' place. 'He's trying to find another rental place. But for now, he's got stuff in storage and he's got a lot of stuff with Jules.' The French family are well-known in Laguna and own several properties around the elite seaside town. Her beachfront, five-bed home is worth an estimated $8million according to real estate site Redfin, and has a separate two-bed unit.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The British Wheeler Dealer who ended up dating Hollywood royalty
After making four Bridget Jones films, Renée Zellweger has admitted that she became an Anglophile. The Oscar-winning actress, 56, has spoken about her love of English breakfast tea, the London Underground and mushy peas. She even has a British boyfriend – a former British bobby turned footballer-turned-car mechanic, no less. Meet Ant Anstead – a quintessentially British bloke from Hertfordshire who's now dating Hollywood royalty. Anstead has been in a relationship with Zellweger since 2021 and is best known for presenting the TV show Wheeler Dealers. But after rumours of an engagement in January, there's now speculation that they're no longer living together amid his alleged money troubles. So who is this self-described 'British Boy who builds'? And how did he come to date one of the world's most famous women? Anthony Anstead was born in Cambridge in 1978 but grew up in Hertfordshire. As a car-mad teen, he was already building and selling kit cars when he was still at school and used the profits to buy himself an MG. At 18, he became a police officer with the Hertfordshire Constabulary and guarded the notorious 'Railway Murderer', John Duffy, in a police safehouse. At 22, he was made one of the youngest Tactical Firearms Team officers in the country, receiving two commendations for acts of bravery. But, in 2005, he resigned from the police force to pursue a career as a mechanic, building and restoring cars for private clients. In his free time he was a semi-professional footballer, playing over 700 games over 17 years at Ryman League (now known as Isthmian League) level, as both a goalkeeper and a striker. He started his own TV company in 2014 and hosted a number of motoring shows for Channel 4 and the BBC, and appeared on stage at some of the UK's biggest car shows. He met Mike Brewer, who would become his Wheeler Dealers co-host, when they were both presenting classic car shows at the National Exhibition Centre (which hosts the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show among others). 'Ant's an incredible presenter and car builder, he really knows his stuff,' says Brewer, who bought the used cars for the show for Anstead to fix up. 'When we moved Wheeler Dealers to the US in 2017, [former show mechanic] Edd China wanted to go back to the UK so I pushed for Ant to join the show. I knew he'd be amazing.' Before he moved to California, Anstead and his first wife – Louise Herbert – divorced. The couple had been dating since he was 19 and they have two children together, Amelie, 21, and Archie, 18. 'We spent 22 years together from teenagers to adults, and to this day remain very close friends and we stay in regular contact. Almost daily,' said Anstead. 'We have two amazing kids together who we are incredibly proud of and we will forever be family. I wish them a lifetime full of happiness.' In October 2017, Anstead began dating Christina Haack, an American TV presenter who specialises in property shows. They tied the knot a year later in a secret 'winter wonderland' wedding at their home in Newport Beach and their son, Hudson, was born in September 2019. But less than a year later, Haack announced that they had split. In 2021, Anstead's life took another twist when Zellweger was a guest on his US show Celebrity IOU Joyride. The premise of the series was for celebrities to fix up old cars and give them to important people in their lives, and the Bridget Jones' Diary star refurbished a 1970s Bronco and presented it to the twin brothers, Jerome and Jerald, who cared for her late publicist, Nanci Ryder, after she was diagnosed with ALS in 2014. 'I'm really grateful to the show because these amazing things happen in your world and sometimes when things collide, they collide at the most obscure times when you least expect them,' Anstead has said of meeting Zellweger. The new couple were seen spending the Fourth of July weekend together at Anstead's beach home in Laguna Beach, and in September, Anstead went 'Instagram official' with the movie star, sharing a black-and-white selfie of them looking loved-up. Although they largely kept out of the spotlight, they attended a few events together in the US. 'Renée and my relationship is something that's really private,' said Anstead. 'It's something I'm not really willing to talk too much about. It's really early in our relationship and I don't want to put any pressure on that.' But in November 2021, Anstead shared an Instagram photo of Zellweger holding his son Hudson at a New Orleans Saints football game. He has also shared photos of him and Zellweger kissing and sharing anniversaries together. Zellweger, who filed for an annulment from her country singer husband, Kenny Chesney, in September 2005 after four months of marriage, has been a little more cryptic. This year, she confirmed that she lives near San Diego 'because that's where my fellow lives, and his little boy'. However, there was no being coy in January 2025, when the couple posed for photos with Anstead's children, Amelie and Archie, at the London premiere of Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. He posted a picture from the red carpet with the caption: 'Midweek movie night with the kiddos.... The Movie was absolutely utterly brilliant and the lead actress was mesmerising and smoking HOT (I have a mega crush on her!) I've let the missus know she's my hall pass..... X.' There was even speculation that the pair were engaged, after Zellweger, who is worth a reported £67 million, appeared at the premiere with plasters on her ring finger, possibly to cover up a ring. But the jury's out on whether he's a dependable Mark Darcy type or a cad like Daniel Cleaver. In May there were reports that Zellweger and Anstead had split up, after he was seen spending time at the cliff-top mansion of a divorced Laguna Beach spin instructor named Julia French. 'Sadly, the recent reports in the press are disrespectful and misleading,' Anstead's publicist says. '[Anstead] stayed just a handful of days in Julia French's separate, and detached, guest house. They have been long-time friends with similar aged children within a circle of local Laguna Beach friends.' Anstead might also be having money troubles, as his supercar company Radford Motors filed for Chapter Seven bankruptcy in a Delaware court in May. In recent months, he has faced a series of lawsuits from clients worth over £2 million. Anstead has said he remains 'fully committed' to the company despite its current 'challenges'. According to Anstead's publicist, he has been 'spending the majority of his time working in the UK', while Zellweger has been filming the TV show Only Murders in the Building in New York City. Mike Brewer says he's not surprised that his friend and co-host has ended up dating a Hollywood A-lister: 'He's a good looking guy and he's very charming,' he says. 'It was inevitable he'd hook up with somebody great, as people just gravitate towards him. Whatever the 'X factor' is, he's got it. Renée and Ant have a wonderful relationship. My wife and I meet up with them and hang out with them all the time.' According to Anstead's representative: 'Renée and Ant remain in a cherished relationship that they ask to keep private.' Maybe the Bridget Jones star will get her happily ever after, after all. 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Telegraph
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
The British Wheeler Dealer who ended up dating Hollywood royalty
After making four Bridget Jones films, Renée Zellweger has admitted that she became an Anglophile. The Oscar-winning actress, 56, has spoken about her love of English breakfast tea, the London Underground and mushy peas. She even has a British boyfriend – a former British bobby turned footballer-turned-car mechanic, no less. Meet Ant Anstead – a quintessentially British bloke from Hertfordshire who's now dating Hollywood royalty. Anstead has been in a relationship with Zellweger since 2021 and is best known for presenting the TV show Wheeler Dealers. But after rumours of an engagement in January, there's now speculation that they're no longer living together amid his alleged money troubles. So who is this self-described 'British Boy who builds'? And how did he come to date one of the world's most famous women? Anthony Anstead was born in Cambridge in 1978 but grew up in Hertfordshire. As a car-mad teen, he was already building and selling kit cars when he was still at school and used the profits to buy himself an MG. At 18, he became a police officer with the Hertfordshire Constabulary and guarded the notorious 'Railway Murderer', John Duffy, in a police safehouse. At 22, he was made one of the youngest Tactical Firearms Team officers in the country, receiving two commendations for acts of bravery. But, in 2005, he resigned from the police force to pursue a career as a mechanic, building and restoring cars for private clients. In his free time he was a semi-professional footballer, playing over 700 games over 17 years at Ryman League (now known as Isthmian League) level, as both a goalkeeper and a striker. He started his own TV company in 2014 and hosted a number of motoring shows for Channel 4 and the BBC, and appeared on stage at some of the UK's biggest car shows. He met Mike Brewer, who would become his Wheeler Dealers co-host, when they were both presenting classic car shows at the National Exhibition Centre (which hosts the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show among others). 'Ant's an incredible presenter and car builder, he really knows his stuff,' says Brewer, who bought the used cars for the show for Anstead to fix up. 'When we moved Wheeler Dealers to the US in 2017, [former show mechanic] Edd China wanted to go back to the UK so I pushed for Ant to join the show. I knew he'd be amazing.' Before he moved to California, Anstead and his first wife – Louise Herbert – divorced. The couple had been dating since he was 19 and they have two children together, Amelie, 21, and Archie, 18. 'We spent 22 years together from teenagers to adults, and to this day remain very close friends and we stay in regular contact. Almost daily,' said Anstead. 'We have two amazing kids together who we are incredibly proud of and we will forever be family. I wish them a lifetime full of happiness.' In October 2017, Anstead began dating Christina Haack, an American TV presenter who specialises in property shows. They tied the knot a year later in a secret 'winter wonderland' wedding at their home in Newport Beach and their son, Hudson, was born in September 2019. But less than a year later, Haack announced that they had split. In 2021, Anstead's life took another twist when Zellweger was a guest on his US show Celebrity IOU Joyride. The premise of the series was for celebrities to fix up old cars and give them to important people in their lives, and the Bridget Jones' Diary star refurbished a 1970s Bronco and presented it to the twin brothers, Jerome and Jerald, who cared for her late publicist, Nanci Ryder, after she was diagnosed with ALS in 2014. 'I'm really grateful to the show because these amazing things happen in your world and sometimes when things collide, they collide at the most obscure times when you least expect them,' Anstead has said of meeting Zellweger. The new couple were seen spending the Fourth of July weekend together at Anstead's beach home in Laguna Beach, and in September, Anstead went 'Instagram official' with the movie star, sharing a black-and-white selfie of them looking loved-up. Although they largely kept out of the spotlight, they attended a few events together in the US. 'Renée and my relationship is something that's really private,' said Anstead. 'It's something I'm not really willing to talk too much about. It's really early in our relationship and I don't want to put any pressure on that.' But in November 2021, Anstead shared an Instagram photo of Zellweger holding his son Hudson at a New Orleans Saints football game. He has also shared photos of him and Zellweger kissing and sharing anniversaries together. Zellweger, who filed for an annulment from her country singer husband, Kenny Chesney, in September 2005 after four months of marriage, has been a little more cryptic. This year, she confirmed that she lives near San Diego 'because that's where my fellow lives, and his little boy'. However, there was no being coy in January 2025, when the couple posed for photos with Anstead's children, Amelie and Archie, at the London premiere of Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. He posted a picture from the red carpet with the caption: 'Midweek movie night with the kiddos.... The Movie was absolutely utterly brilliant and the lead actress was mesmerising and smoking HOT (I have a mega crush on her!) I've let the missus know she's my hall pass..... X.' There was even speculation that the pair were engaged, after Zellweger, who is worth a reported £67 million, appeared at the premiere with plasters on her ring finger, possibly to cover up a ring. In May there were reports that Zellweger and Anstead had split up, after he was seen spending time at the cliff-top mansion of a divorced Laguna Beach spin instructor named Julia French. 'Sadly, the recent reports in the press are disrespectful and misleading,' Anstead's publicist says. '[Anstead] stayed just a handful of days in Julia French's separate, and detached, guest house. They have been long-time friends with similar aged children within a circle of local Laguna Beach friends.' Anstead might also be having money troubles, as his supercar company Radford Motors he founded with Jenson Button filed for Chapter Seven bankruptcy in a Delaware court in April. In recent months, he has also faced a series of lawsuits alleging fraud and mismanagement, which were dismissed. Anstead has said he remains 'fully committed' to the company despite its current 'challenges'. According to Anstead's publicist, he has been 'spending the majority of his time working in the UK', while Zellweger has been filming the TV show Only Murders in the Building in New York City. Mike Brewer says he's not surprised that his friend and co-host has ended up dating a Hollywood A-lister: 'He's a good looking guy and he's very charming,' he says. 'It was inevitable he'd hook up with somebody great, as people just gravitate towards him. Whatever the 'X factor' is, he's got it. Renée and Ant have a wonderful relationship. My wife and I meet up with them and hang out with them all the time.' According to Anstead's representative: 'Mr Anstead and Miss Zellweger remain in a cherished four-year relationship that they ask to keep private.' Maybe the Bridget Jones star will get her happily ever after, after all.
Daily Mail
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Renee Zellweger stuns as she leads the stars at Gotham Television Awards amid rumors about Ant Anstead romance
Renée Zellweger looked gorgeous in an off-the-shoulder black dress at Monday evening's 2025 Gotham Television Awards in New York City. The 56-year-old longtime actress — whom sources tell is living apart from boyfriend Ant Anstead, 46 — commanded attention in the form-fitting number, which cinched at the waist and fell to her ankles. She wore her blonde locks in a fuss-free updo that included a side part and face-framing loose strands at the front. Zellweger kept the look simple, opting for minimal accessories as she rounded out the outfit with pointy-toe black heels. Her wrinkle-free face was taut and glowing as she hit the red carpet in natural-looking makeup. The Bridget Jones's Diary star has been in the Big Apple filming the new season of Only Murders in the Building. Last month she was spotted working on a scene with fellow Hollywood vet Bobby Cannavale. During the mid-May shoot day Zellweger sported a ginger-toned bob hairstyle with a side part and flipped ends. Details regarding her OMITB character have been kept under wraps, but co-star/producer Selena Gomez recently shared photos from the production featuring Zellweger. Friends of the siren told in February that she has put the brakes on her relationship with Anstead, revealing she is not interested in marriage. 'Renée and Ant have been dating for over three years,' one insider said. 'She loves the relationship the way it is. 'She's seen so many couples, especially celebrities like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie who have happily dated, only to split not long after getting married. 'Why would she risk rocking the boat and rushing to take her relationship with Ant to the next level?' Alec Baldwin, 67, and wife Hilaria Baldwin, 41, coordinated in shades of blue. Alec Baldwin and wife Hilaria Baldwin coordinated in shades of blue Her co-star Leslie Bibb, 51, was also in attendance, arriving in a pale turquoise satin dress with a high collar Hilaria looked darling in a slinky, sleeveless, royal blue number with a flesh-baring cutout at the back. She showed off a fresh haircut featuring her brunette locks chopped into flattering face-framing bangs. Parker Posey, 56, was among the superstars at the awards show on Monday. The White Lotus actress wowed in a cream-colored dress with a plunging neckline and long, sheer, bell sleeves. The fashion-forward beauty added matching lacy gloves to the 60s-inspired look, which included a subtly ruffled hemline. Parker debuted a new look — a rust-hued hairstyle with a center part and curled ends. She added round, pink-tinted sunglasses and carried a chic handbag with a long chain that she gathered around her hand. Her costar Leslie Bibb, 51, was also in attendance, arriving in a pale turquoise satin dress with a high collar. And another White Lotus standout, 44-year-old Carrie Coon, looked exquisite in an off-the-shoulder white column gown. Sheryl Lee Ralph, 68, looked younger than her years in a little black dress with a side slit. Her halter neck look showed off her cleavage and she punctuated the timeless look with open-toe heels, revealing a white pedicure. She flashed her megawatt smile in a full face of glamorous makeup, and her dark locks were arranged in a center part and fluffy curls. Jenny Slate, 43, arrived in an eye-catching black dress featuring a short white shawl accoutrement. The It Ends With Us actress accentuated her trim waistline with the frock's corset bodice, which transitioned into a billowy skirt. Her jaw-length jet black locks were in a middle part with a natural tousled texture and one side tucked behind her ear. Severance star Britt Lower, 39, modeled a sleeveless white dress with thin black line accents. Her red hair was pulled into a sleek updo with short, side-swept bangs left out at the front. Also dressed in white was Netflix actress Lovie Simone, who stars in the streamer's hit coming-of-age series Forever. She posed for photos in a Versace gown with asymmetric straps, a thigh-high slit, and subtle ruching. The New York native complemented the getup with a bombshell hairstyle that was parted on the side and set in tight wand waves. Her old Hollywood glamour-inspired makeup was complete with a matte, berry-toned lip stain. Actress Justine Lupe looked great arriving in a delicate black slip dress with beaded accents throughout. The 36-year-old Nobody Wants This star wore her long, bright blonde locks loose, set in a middle part and slightly textured as they flowed down her back. Her makeup was flawlessly applied and featured fluttery lashes that made her blue eyes pop, and glossy pink lipstick. Meanwhile, YouTube sensation Cleo Abram, 32, turned heads in a two-toned green and black slip dress. The top half of the look boasted low-cut black lace while the lower half called attention with an emerald green skirt. She added pointy-toe black heels to pull the sultry getup together. Model Haley Kalil, 32, looked angelic in a flowing, low-cut white dress with stone detailing at the chest. Actress Rachel Brosnahan, 34, bared her long legs in a quirky black mini dress. The netted number boasted a thigh-length black skirt that swelled at her hips, creating an exaggerated silhouette. The sleeveless look teased a built-in black bra underneath, and the Superman star pulled her glossy, dark locks back for the occasion. Actress Madeline Brewer, 33, was fashion-forward in a green sleeveless dress with draped detail. The 2025 Gotham TV Awards ceremony, celebrating outstanding achievement in television, was held at Cipriani Wall Street. Crime series Adolescence led the nominations across three categories — Breakthrough Limited Series, Lead Performance in a Limited Series, and Supporting Performance in a Limited Series. AppleTV+'s The Studio took home the first award of the night for Breakthrough Comedy Series, per The Hollywood Reporter.
News.com.au
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Renée Zellweger and Ant Anstead shut down split rumours
On Thursday, editors at the Daily Mail claimed the Oscar-winning actress and TV personality had been "living apart for the past year". They also alleged Anstead has been staying at the home of Julia French in Laguna Beach, California while Zellweger films the upcoming season of Only Murders in the Building in New York City. A source claimed the Wheeler Dealers co-host had been living in an apartment on French's property since he moved out of his rental in April. However, a representative for Anstead later shut down the report.
