Many were shocked when reports came out that unlikely pairing Renee Zellweger and British TV presenter Ant Anstead were dating.
But perhaps the two have a lot more in common then one would think.
The 52-year-old actress and 42-year-old television personality are said to be ‘clicking’ amid dating rumors according to a Wednesday report from People.
‘Sometimes two people just meet and click’: Renee Zellweger and Ant Anstead are said to be ‘clicking’ amid dating rumors according to a Wednesday report from People
As Ant recently finalized his divorce from ex-wife, Flip or Flop star Christina Haack, with the pair sharing legal and physical custody of their 21-month-old son Hudson London, it is an interesting time for a new romance but you can’t stop fate.
The source for the weekly said: ‘Sometimes two people just meet and click, and the timing is right.
‘Renee is creative…and often goes for guys who think out of the box. She’s smart, thoughtful and always looking to expand horizons and nurture those around her.’
It’s over: Ant recently finalized his divorce from ex-wife, Flip or Flop star Christina Haack, with the pair sharing legal and physical custody of their 21-month-old son Hudson London (pictured in 2020)
The two first met earlier this month when they were both filming an episode of Ant’s new Discovery+ show Celebrity IOU Joyride, and seemingly hit it off with one another.
The insider continued by saying: ‘Both of them are private and dislike public scrutiny, so they have that in common. He’s a creative guy with lots of interests, and she likes to write and produce, so they have things to talk about when together.’
TMZ claimed last week that romantic sparks began to fly between the pair when Renée returned to set after filming their episode of his show to ‘drop off some work boots’ for Ant.
Interesting: The two first met earlier this month when they were both filming an episode of Ant’s new Discovery+ show Celebrity IOU Joyride, and seemingly hit it off with one another, as Zellweger is seen in February
The insider continued by saying: ‘Both of them are private and dislike public scrutiny, so they have that in common. He’s a creative guy with lots of interests, and she likes to write and produce, so they have things to talk about when together,’ Anstead is seen in July 2019
Ant is also father to two children – son Archie, 14; and daughter Amelie, 17 – from his 12-year marriage to Louise Anstead, which ended in 2017.
Celebrity IOU Joyride is a new series that sees Ant help celebrities gift their loved-ones a one-of-a-kind car transformation, and features stars like Mary J. Blige, Octavia Spender, and Danny Trejo.
However, it seems that Renée was a standout celeb guest for Ant.
Renée was last linked to singer-songwriter Doyle Bramhall II, who she started dating in 2012, two years after he had split from his ex-wife with whom he shares two children.
In 2017, she told UsWeekly that Doyle was a ‘very special person’ but in May 2019, reports emerged they were on the rocks, and split in 2020.
Prior to that romance, the Bridget Jones star dated Bradley Cooper after the pair met while filming her thriller Case 39 in 2009, though they split two years later.
Ex factor: Renée was last linked to singer-songwriter Doyle Bramhall II (Pictured 2016) while Ant just finalized his divorce from Christina (Pictured, 2019)
Before that, the Texan actress was married to country star Kenny Chesney, but the marriage was later annulled in 2005 after just four months, with her citing ‘fraud’ as the reason for ending the union.
Zellweger later released a statement to ‘clarify that the term “fraud” as listed in the documentation is simply legal language and not a reflection of Kenny’s character.’
She also dated The White Stripes front man Jack White after meeting while filming 2003’s Cold Mountain, but they split a year later.
The star was engaged to Jim Carrey in 2000, after they hit it off while making the comedy Me, Myself & Irene in 1999. However they amicably split within a year of being together.
Short-lived: Renee wed country star Kenny Chesney in 2005, but the marriage was later annulled after just four months, with her citing ‘fraud’ as the reason for ending the union
First wife: Ant is also father to two children – son Archie, 14; and daughter Amelie, 17 – from his 12-year marriage to Louise Anstead, which ended in 2017 (The pair pictured above in 2016)
Meanwhile, Anstead’s ex Christina Haack – who reverted back to her maiden name in December – has wiped all existence of him from her Instagram, and is now searching for a new Newport Beach home.
Haack is also mother to two children – daughter Taylor, 10; and son Brayden, 5 – from her seven-year marriage to Tarek El Moussa, which ended in 2018.
After Haack sold their marital Newport Beach home for $5.3M, Anstead moved into a seaside Laguna Beach property he dubbed: ‘The Temple.’
Priority: Christina and Ant – who began their romance in November 2017 – will share legal and physical custody of their 21-month-old son Hudson London (pictured in 2020)
Anstead is best known in the UK for co-presenting the Channel 4 automotive show For the Love of Cars with Philip Glenister.
He appeared alongside his Flip or Flop star ex-wife in the HGTV series Christina On The Coast.
The reality star spoke to PEOPLE about his divorce last year, saying he did not make the decision himself.
‘I think everybody knows this was not my decision. If you ask anybody that knows me properly, they know that I give myself fully,’ he said, adding: ‘I had so much love for her.’