An unexpected match! Ant Anstead continued to make headlines after his split from Christina Haack by sparking an A-list romance with Renée Zellweger.
The Wheeler Dealers star was previously married to Haack for nearly two years before the pair announced their separation via Instagram in September 2020. Nine months later, Us Weekly confirmed that the duo finalized their divorce, agreeing to share custody of their son, Hudson, who arrived in September 2019.
Anstead wasn’t single for long, however, sparking rumors of a romance with the Judy actress in late June 2021. Multiple outlets confirmed the relationship that month, shortly before the pair were photographed together lounging on the U.K. native’s balcony.
While celebrating the 4th of July together, the couple were caught kissing on their bikes at a traffic light. The PDA-filled outings continued throughout July 2021, with the twosome smooching while wandering through the parking lot of a Laguna Beach, California, hardware store.
Neither Anstead nor the Bridget Jones’ Diary star addressed the romance publicly right away. As the For the Love of Cars presenter’s relationship raised eyebrows, his ex-wife moved on too. Haack was photographed holding hands with beau Joshua Hall in July 2021 and made the relationship Instagram official soon after.
Both Anstead and the Flip or Flop star did their best to keep a positive outlook in the wake of their split. In September 2020, the Petrol Head Parenting author even told his social media followers that he and Haack aimed to stay close for the sake of their son.
“While we both appreciate words of support, Please stop trying to diagnose from afar. It’s not fair,” he wrote via Instagram alongside a sweet snap of him and Hudson. “Christina is fine. I am fine. And we remain good friends and will navigate this at our pace. Compassion and kindness is all that’s needed. X.”
Though fans were shocked when the pair pulled the plug on their marriage, there doesn’t seem to be any bad blood between the exes. Zellweger, for her part, boasts a roster of famous former flames, including Jim Carrey, Kenny Chesney and Bradley Cooper.
The Texas native was briefly engaged to Carrey in 2000, and five years later, she walked down the aisle with the country crooner. After only four months of marriage, the duo called it quits, but Zellweger remained fairly quiet about what caused their split.
“I’m an old-fashioned gal who doesn’t feel it’s appropriate to hang out your laundry on the lawn,” she told The Advocate in September 2016. “I feel you devalue yourself as a human being when you share very personal things with a bajillion strangers who are making fun of you. I just don’t see that there’s any dignity in that.”
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Scroll down for a closer look at Anstead and Zellweger’s whirlwind romance:
Zellweger worked alongside Anstead while filming an episode of his Discovery+ series, Celebrity IOU Joyride, in June 2021. PIERRE VILLARD/SIPA/Shutterstock; Can Nguyen/Shutterstock
By the end of June 2021, multiple outlets reported that the two-time Oscar winner and the reality TV personality were officially dating. He later reflected on his "bonkers" life and new digs, writing via Instagram that month, "I am so grateful to unwind in this space! Look what god did! Oh, and speaking of bonkers, wait till you see what I’m gonna do with Temple home! 💫 x." P&P/MEGA
The Chicago actress and the Cops and Robbers author were spotted cozying up to one another on the balcony of his Laguna Beach, California, home in July 2021. With her hair tied up in a bun, Zellweger chatted with her beau while holding a mug that read, "Home is where dad is." Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutterstock; APEX/MEGA
Anstead's eagle-eyed social media followers caught a glimpse of Zellweger in an Instagram video he posted on the 4th of July in 2021. "My lawyer is cooler than yours. Walking home we stumbled across a Laguna Beach street performer," the Brit wrote. "So of course @rogerbehle took the guitar from him and turned the 'one man band' into a DUET 😂😂." As he panned the camera around the block, the actress was spotted sporting a baseball cap and holding Anstead's son Hudson. Courtesy Ant Anstead/Instagram; AFF-USA/Shutterstock
A source told Us exclusively in July 2021 that the car enthusiast was "excited about life" as his romance with the Golden Globe winner heated up. "Part of it can be because he's dating Renée, but he definitely was excited about doing this project and he seems excited to do all the various projects he's working on," the insider noted. "You can tell he’s in a good spot in his life — he's super happy." Shutterstock (2)
Shortly after they packed on the PDA during a Laguna Beach bike ride in July 2021, the twosome ran errands at a hardware store — and couldn't keep their hands to themselves. P&P/MEGA
Zellweger and Anstead passionately kissed on the beach while watching the sunset near the Brit's California home in July 2021. They played with Anstead's youngest son while they enjoyed the evening. APEX/MEGA
In July 2021, Discovery+ released the first trailer for Celebrity IOU: Joyride, which shows Anstead and Zellweger meeting for the first time. Discovery+
The duo attended their first event together in August 2021, looking stunning at a Radford Motors gala at the Lyon Air Museum in Santa Ana, California. Courtesy of Joe Gatt/Instagram
Anstead shared his first photo with his girlfriend in August 2021 before the premiere of their Celebrity IOU: Joyride collaboration. Earlier that month, he opened up about the "magical" coincidence of meeting Zellweger on the project, telling Entertainment Tonight, "Sometimes things come to you at the right time, and actually the right time is often the most unexpected." Courtesy Ant Antstead/Instagram
Zellweger's performance in Bridget Jones's Diary was apparently so convincing that her beau believed she also hailed from his native England. "Are you telling me that Bridget Jones — Renée Zellweger — isn't British? You're like a dream crusher for me," he told Discovery+ cohost Cristy Lee in an August 2021 episode. Shutterstock (2)
"One thing I think that really comes across in the show, is that this is an opportunity to see a little bit behind the curtain," Anstead told Entertainment Tonight in August 2021, referring to Celebrity IOU Joyride, where the couple met. "Renée in particular, she doesn't give herself freely outside of movies. She's a very private person and that's something I really love about her. ... I love that she can weld. You get to see a side of her that was really real, and she really shared that, and I think that applies to all the celebrities." Discovery+
Us confirmed in September 2021 that Zellweger joined Anstead at the "small gathering" he put together in honor of son Hudson's 2nd birthday. Haack, however, did not attend the celebration. P&P/MEGA
Anstead shared a lovey-dovey selfie with Zellweger via Instagram. In the black-and-white photo, which he posted without a caption, she wrapped her arms around him and nuzzled her face next to his. Courtesy of Ant Anstead/Instagram
In October 2021, Anstead told Entertainment Tonight that he's been visiting his girlfriend in New Orleans while she films her new series, The Thing About Pam. "We wandered into this little jazz room, and it was really amazing," he said of his time in the Big Easy, adding that he's planning a return trip. "She's a good traveler and she's been to that city before, so it's nice. Looking forward to getting back." Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shutterstock; Courtesy Ant Anstead/Instagram
In October 2021, Anstead posted a PDA selfie with Zellweger while he visited her on set in Louisiana. "WOW there is something very special about New Orleans!" he wrote via Instagram. "The late night wandering, the mind blowing history this nerd loves, the architecture, the blend of cultures, the food, the people, the smells and noises! All made made [sic] better by magical company to share it with." Courtesy of Ant Antstead/Instagram
The couple spent Thanksgiving together in November 2021 with Anstead's son Hudson, attending the New Orleans Saints football game against the Buffalo Bills at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. The auto expert shared an Instagram Story video of the toddler watching the game while wearing Mardi Gras beads. Courtesy of Ant Anstead/Instagram
Anstead decorated his Christmas tree with the help of son Hudson in December 2021. Amid the photos of his little helper putting the tree topper on, the TV personality revealed a special ornament he had made for his and Zellweger’s first Christmas together. The custom ornament showed the couple driving in a car together, each wearing hats with their names written on them. There was also a tree on the top of the car that said, “Laguna Beach,” which is where Anstead lives. Courtesy of Ant Anstead/Instagram
Anstead told Entertainment Tonight in December 2021 that he was excited to celebrate the holidays with his loved ones. "I have got a new home,” he said. “This will be my first Christmas in my new home.” When asked if Zellweger would be spending December 25th with him and his kids, Anstead played coy, telling ET, “there are plans" to see each other, but they are "both very busy." Shutterstock (2)
In December 2021, an insider told Us that the duo planned to spend New Year's Eve together after their first holiday season as a couple. "[They] can't wait to see what the new year has in store for the both of them," the source added. Broadimage/Shutterstock; KCR/Shutterstock
Anstead sang his girlfriend’s praises in February 2022 ahead of the premiere of her limited series The Thing About Pam. “Beaming with pride (and now sleeping with one eye open!) Ren’s latest role!” he wrote via Instagram, sharing the show’s trailer in which Zellweger portrays real-life convicted murderer Pamela Hupp alongside Josh Duhamel and Judy Greer. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutterstock; Skip Bolen/NBC
In a March 2022 interview with Harper's Bazaar, Zellweger explained that she wanted to participate in Celebrity IOU: Joyride after seeing an episode of Celebrity IOU with Brad Pitt. She thought the show would be a good way to honor the nurses who cared for her friend and former publicist Nanci Ryder, who died in June 2020. Now, she and Anstead like to think about the fact that Ryder brought them together after her death. "We do joke about that,” she said. “She’s always doing her best. It made me smile. It made me smile to think on this, yeah, the serendipity of it all.” Earl Gibson III/Shutterstock; Can Nguyen/Shutterstock
The car expert shared a gushing birthday tribute to his girlfriend in April 2022. "Happy birthday to this beautiful Lady! Red you are PURE CLASS! I know how lucky I am," Anstead captioned a selfie via his Instagram Story. Courtesy of Ant Anstead/Instagram
In May 2022, an insider told Us that Zellweger is getting on "so great" with Anstead's son Hudson amid his custody drama with Haack. "[Renée's really bonded with him, and Ant loves how doting and caring she is with his kids when they’re all together." The source added that the Oscar winner "loves taking trips to the park and long walks on the beach" with her beau and his toddler. "They’re deliberately uncomplicated in that way — no airs or graces and totally down to earth. ... It’s all very positive and calm whenever they’re together with Hudson.” Shutterstock (2); HGTV
"This lady," Anstead captioned a cuddly snap via Instagram in July 2022. "Pure. Class. Ren x." Courtesy of Ant Anstead/Instagram
The couple were spotted packing on the PDA after Anstead won a soccer tournament. Snorlax / MEGA
Zellweger made it clear that she's not fazed by the more public side of her relationship with Anstead, telling The Sunday Times in August 2022, "Yeah, well, I don't pay much attention to any of that." She went on to clarify that she tends to stay off social media as a whole, adding, "I don't think it would be a good thing for me. I have a list of things I like to get done every day." Earl Gibson III/Shutterstock
Anstead and Zellweger "are so happy and super excited to be mapping out their long-term future together," a source exclusively told Us about the happy couple, noting that they've "deliberately downplayed wedding talk even though it’s something they’ve both been leaning toward for a while." The insider added, "They’ve taken their time to do this right, living in separate houses and not rushing into anything. They’re trying not to get too far ahead of themselves and are both extremely private when it comes to their exact arrangements, but friends think an engagement could be very soon.” MEGA
"Always Pause for moments of magic under twinkly lights ... ❤️💫," Anstead captioned a romantic blurry photo of himself dancing with Zellweger. Courtesy of Ant Anstead/Instagram
Anstead gave Zellweger a shout-out in his Valentine's Day tribute to daughter Amelie. "I’m still an old romantic … happy valentines to those that are lucky to have a special partner in their life. While today is reserved for Ren I’m lucky to have a second special lady I get to shower love on. Love you my 19 year valentines," the doting dad wrote via Instagram alongside a photo of him kissing Amelie on the head. Courtesy of Ant Antstead/Instagram
"Two years of magic 💫💫x," Anstead captioned a tribute to Zellweger via Instagram. Courtesy of Ant Anstead/Instagram
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