The British car expert and TV presenter said he often forgets his Oscar-winning girlfriend is famous in rare comments about a romance of more than three years
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Ant Anstead and Renée Zellweger
Ant Anstead may be dating the star of an iconic film franchise, but he says he’s dating Renee Zellweger is surprisingly normal.
The British car expert and TV presenter, 45, wondered if it was “weird” to have a high-profile romance with the The Diary of Bridget Jones star and Oscar winner, 55, during a visit to the British talk show Jeremy Vine at 5 this week.
When asked what it’s like to be in a relationship that is “so minutely watched by total strangers,” Ant responded with a shrug.
“I don’t give it time,” said the first Wheeler Dealers said host. “I mean, eventually it’s going to be examined microscopically, I’m sure, but I don’t really think about that. She’s so incredibly normal and I often forget she’s famous.”
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Renée Zellweger and Ant Anstead
Related: Ant Anstead is in love after receiving flowers and a love note from girlfriend Renee Zellweger
The couple started dating after meeting on the set of his Discovery+ show Famous IOU: Joyride early June 2021.
“Thank you, Discovery, for your dating services,” Ant joked about their first meeting.
Ant Anstead Instagram
Anstead, who was promoting his latest show on the network, Ant Anstead: born mechanic, said Zellweger would not join him on the new series due to conflicting schedules.
“Unfortunately, she was busy over the summer too, so that didn’t work out,” he said, referring to the making of Bridget Jones: Crazy about the boy, who shot in London.
Although Anstead said he has no plans yet to travel to Britain for the premiere of Zellweger’s film, he is an admirer of the iconic series.
Ant Anstead/instagram
‘It is our duty as Britons to be so Bridget Jones fans,” he said. “It’s no mistake that the movie is making its fourth movie, you know. Great movies return and it’s a great movie.” During the filming of their Joyride episode, Anstead revealed that he actually didn’t realize that Zellweger wasn’t actually British until they met on set.
Anstead was beaten in August shared his reaction to the movie poster for the fourth Bridget Jones term.
“Oh man…she’s so beautiful…” he wrote on his Instagram stories. “That’s my Ren (lucky boy),” he added, along with a heart eye emoji.
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Ant Anstead’s Instagram post
The highly anticipated film is expected to premiere on Valentine’s Day in 2025. Hugh Grant And Emma Thompson are also returning, along with new cast members Leo Woodall And Isla Visser.
In April 2024, a source told PEOPLE that Anstead would temporarily move back to his native England while Zellweger worked on the project.
“Ant goes to Britain with Renée while she is filming (The Diary of Bridget Jones 4) later this year,” the insider told PEOPLE at the time. “Ant loves spending time with his older children.”
Antsead shares daughter Amelie, 21, and son Archie, 18, with his first wife Louise Floor. They are based in Britain, while Hudson, the 5-year-old son he shares with his second wife, HGTV star Christina Haacklives in California.
Zellweger and Anstead sharing a house together in Orange County where they moved in the spring of 2023, a source attached to PEOPLE at the time.
Last month, Anstead added a nod to Zellweger a birthday tribute to Hudson.
“Congratulations Hudzo! WOW what a privilege it was to watch you become a smart, bubbly, funny, brilliant, generous, magnetic, talented and kind little man,” Anstead began his caption on September 6.
“No, and I love you very much!” he added, apparently using Hudson’s nickname for Zellweger.
Ant Anstead/Instagram
Ant Anstead’s Instagram post
Related: Ant Anstead beams about ‘beautiful’ girlfriend Renée Zellweger in New Bridget Jones Poster: ‘That’s my Ren’
Also Anstead in September shared a photo of a bouquet of white roses that he apparently received from Zellweger Instagram stories.
The image includes a sweet note that reads: “Welcome home, sweet man!” The actress appeared to sign the message “I love you,” although the last word was covered by one of the flowers.
“Ladies…Trust me on this! Buy men’s flowers!” Anstead captioned the post.
While he has a lot to celebrate right now, Anstead is also having a tough time with his supercar company. Radford Motors, which is facing several lawsuits. The company filed for bankruptcy on October 22 and is currently undergoing restructuringPEOPLE confirmed Tuesday.