Renee Zellweger, 56, forced to make rare statement about romance with British TV star, 46
It was claimed they were 'living separately'.
Renee Zellweger and Ant Anstead have been forced to quash split rumours in a rare statement about their relationship.
The American Bridget Jones icon, 56, began dating British TV star Ant, 46, in April 2021 after meeting on set of his show Celebrity IOU: Joyride.
From there, romance flourished, with Ant having recently settled his divorce from ex-wife Christina Haack, with whom he shares a five-year-old son, Hudson.
Renee and Ant have remained fiercely private when it comes to their love lives; however, they’ve now hit back at speculation that they are living separately.
On Thursday, the Daily Mail claimed the Oscar-winning actress and motor specialist personality had been ‘living apart for the past year’.
They also alleged that Ant has been staying at the home of Julia French in Laguna Beach, California, while Renee films the upcoming season of Only Murders in the Building in New York.
The actress has been dating the motor specialist since 2021 (Picture: Tony Kershaw/SWNS) Ant was previously married to Christina Haack (Picture: Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)A source claimed the Wheeler Dealers co-host had been residing in an apartment on French’s property since he moved out of his rental in April.
But now, a representative for Ant has shut down the report.
‘Mr Anstead and Ms Zellweger are still together,’ they told Page Six, noting the pair ‘remain in a cherished relationship that they ask to keep private’.
The rep went on to explain that Ant has ‘mostly’ been working in the UK recently, so he spent some of his ‘limited time’ in Orange County at a pal’s home because they have ‘similar-aged children’.
‘His friend Jules has a separate, detached guest house, and the suggestion that their relationship is anything other than platonic is unacceptable and untrue,’ they continued.
‘The suggestion that Mr Anstead is flirtatious is not true and is disrespectful to his four-year relationship.’
It’s believed the couple had ‘instant chemistry’ when they met working on Celebrity IOU: Joyride (Picture: Ella Hovsepian/Getty Images)Speaking previously about getting together with Renee, Ant expressed his gratitude towards his TV series for bringing them together.
‘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,’ he told People.
‘And that’s what happened in this case.’
The outlet also claimed they hit it off instantly, and the timing was ‘right’ for both of them.
In 2023, it was reported that the pair were looking to marry and arranging a ‘low-key’ celebration.
However, a source later denied that they were engaged.
The Bridget Jones icon has shut down speculation that she and Ant are ‘living separate lives’ (Picture: Simon Ackerman/FilmMagic) Ant took his older kids to the Mad About The Boy premiere in January, joking about having a ‘mega crush’ on the lead star (Picture: Instagram)As well as his son with TV personality Christina, Ant has a daughter, Amelie, and a son, Archie, with his first wife, Louise.
In January, he took his older kids to the premiere of Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, showing his support for his girlfriend as she reprised the titular role one final time.
Taking to Instagram after the screening, Ant penned an adorable caption in which he couldn’t help but fawn over his other half.
‘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’, he joked.
As for Renee, the Judy actress was engaged to Jim Carrey from 1999 to 2000.
In May 2005, she married singer Kenny Chesney, but their marriage was annulled after just four months.
She went on to date Bradley Cooper from 2009 to 2011, having first crossed paths while filming Case 39 in 2006.
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