Ant Anstead Gives Rare Update on Girlfriend Renée Zellweger

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Ant Anstead is keeping photos of his girlfriend’s milestones in his diary. 

The host of Born Mechanic recently complimented Renée Zellweger following the unveiling of a statue honoring her famous character, Bridget Jones, in London on November 17th.

Ant, 46, shared a cute video on his Instagram Stories of Renée at a ceremony in Leicester Square. After posing for photos on the red carpet, the actor, known for playing Bridget Jones in four movies over the past twenty years, admired the bronze statue depicting Bridget holding her iconic diary.

And to celebrate the special honor, the Wheeler Dealer alum simply captioned the moment, “Iconic.”  

As for Renée, she’s just as excited that Bridget’s relatable diary entries are being memorialized.

The 56-year-old playfully said the statue was ‘much cuter than me’ in an interview with BBC News, then explained why she thinks her character remains popular. She believes it’s because of the character’s relatable vulnerability and humanity, noting that people see their own struggles reflected in her.

Ant Anstead has publicly shown his support for Renée Zellweger, having been a longtime fan of her portrayal of Bridget Jones – and he was thrilled to see her return to the role after a six-year break. He attended the London premiere of Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy in January with his two older children, 21-year-old Amelie and 18-year-old Archie, whom he shares with his ex-wife, Louise Anstead. He is also a father to 6-year-old Hudson, with ex Christina Haack.

Soon after the movie came out, Ant complimented his girlfriend, calling her performance “absolutely fantastic.”

He posted on Instagram that he found the lead actress incredibly attractive, admitting he had a strong crush on her. He jokingly told his wife that she was ‘his hall pass,’ meaning he’d allow her to pursue a relationship with the actress if she wished.

Their public displays of affection didn’t stop there that month. Though they generally keep their relationship private, Renée revealed they’re happily living and enjoying life together on the West Coast.

She told British Vogue that she lives in Southern California, close to San Diego, because that’s where her partner and his son reside.

Keep reading to see more moments in Ant and Renée’s romance…

Ant shared his enthusiasm for the new book, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, by posting a photo of himself with a “Team Jones” sign. In a message on February 13, 2025, he called the book deeply moving and said it would resonate with fans. He also praised the author, Ren, for her heartfelt writing, encouraging readers to simply relax and enjoy the story.

I was so excited to see Ant at Renée Zellweger’s premiere of Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy in London this January! It was really sweet that he brought his kids – Amelie and Archie, from a previous relationship, along with his youngest, Hudson, who he shares with Christina Haack. He posted on Instagram about it on January 31st, saying it was a ‘midweek movie night with the kiddos’ and that the movie was brilliant, and Renée was absolutely mesmerizing – he even jokingly admitted to having a huge crush on her and declared her his ‘hall pass’! It was a fun family outing for him. Renée herself told TopMob News in February that it was a really enjoyable night and they all had a great time. It just felt like a special evening for everyone involved.

When the trailer for Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy was released in November 2024, Ant excitedly praised Renée on social media. He posted on Instagram on November 12th, saying she was “brilliant” this summer and a “bloomin’ Bridget genius!” He even jokingly messaged Renée’s co-star, Leo Woodall, hinting at a serious conversation. Others also shared their admiration for Renée, with one commenter recalling a memorable conversation. Ant responded, saying she’s “the best human I have ever met!”

Actress Judy and a TV host joined author Libby June Weintraub and her husband, Stephen Weintraub, in Los Angeles to celebrate the release of Libby’s new book, She Was Born: Words on Loss and Liberation.

Ant shared this photo of the two kissing on their second anniversary in April 2023.

He also posted this pic of the couple walking hand in hand for the occasion.

And Ant called the milestone, “Two years of magic.”

The former host of Wheeler Dealers also posted a picture from a romantic evening with the Academy Award-winning actress, captioning it, “Always take a moment to appreciate magical times under the lights…”

“This lady,” Ant wrote on Instagram in July 2022. “Pure. Class. Ren x”

The two caught a flight out of Los Angeles together.

Ant shared this animated image of the pair sharing a sizzling kiss on Instagram.

I have to say, New Orleans is just incredible! I saw this post from October 2021 and it really resonated with me. The writer perfectly captured it – those late-night walks are something else, and as a history buff, I’m completely blown away by everything the city has to offer. The buildings are gorgeous, the mix of cultures is fascinating, and the food? Forget about it! But honestly, it’s the people and the whole vibe – the sounds, the smells – that really get to you. And experiencing it all with someone special just makes it even more magical.

 

Ant shared a throwback photo on Instagram in April 2022, reminiscing about a moment from the set of Celebrity IOU: Joyride. He recalled being on the back of a fire engine a year prior, on the last day of filming, after he and Renée gifted a car to two deserving men as a thank you. He reflected on how much can happen in a single year.

After people started speculating about a romantic connection, the couple was first seen together in public the following July. They appeared on the balcony of Ant’s new beachfront house in Laguna Beach, California – not at an official event or premiere.

They began dating shortly after meeting while working on Ant Anstead’s Discovery+ show, Celebrity IOU: Joyride, but they kept their romance a secret at first.

Ant revealed in August 2021 to TopMob News that he and Renée had developed a close relationship after keeping it private for some time. He explained that photos had recently surfaced, but he also praised Renée as a highly skilled professional, noting her ability to weld.

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2025-11-18 18:17