What Happened to Anthony Richard Anstead?

Anthony 'Ant' Anstead has maintained a prominent presence in the automotive and entertainment industries, marked by significant personal and professional developments in recent years. After gaining international recognition as a co-host on Wheeler Dealers, Anstead announced his departure from the show in November 2020, citing a desire for new challenges and personal reasons, including the emotional toll of being away from family and creative disagreements.

His personal life saw considerable public attention following his separation from HGTV star Christina Haack (now Hall) in September 2020, with their divorce finalized in June 2021. A contentious custody battle over their son, Hudson, ensued in April 2022 when Anstead filed for full custody, alleging concerns about Christina's parenting and social media use. This request was denied, and the ex-couple eventually reached a joint legal and physical custody agreement in November 2022. Reports in early 2025 suggested an improved co-parenting relationship, particularly after Christina's own divorce from Josh Hall.

In his romantic life, Anstead began a relationship with Oscar-winning actress Renée Zellweger in June 2021, after they met on the set of his Discovery+ show Celebrity IOU: Joyride in April 2021. The couple has maintained a relatively private relationship but celebrated their five-year anniversary in April 2026. Anstead has expressed that while he still believes in marriage, they are currently happy and do not feel the need for a 'label,' often affectionately referring to Zellweger as 'the missus'. They were publicly seen together at the Sawdust Festival in Southern California on August 13, 2026, engaging in pottery.

Professionally, Anstead continued to pursue automotive-focused projects. He co-founded Radford Motors in August 2020 with Formula One champion Jenson Button, aiming to revive the classic British coachbuilder. The venture was documented in the Discovery+ special Radford Returns, which premiered in January 2022. However, Radford Motors faced significant challenges, including fraud allegations and lawsuits, ultimately filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2024, which was converted to Chapter 7 (liquidation) in May 2025. A $119,000 default judgment against Anstead and Button in a related lawsuit was set aside in February 2026 due to improper service, though the case remains ongoing.

Anstead has also continued his television work with Ant Anstead: Born Mechanic, which launched successfully in 2025 and returned for an extended third season in January 2026. This series follows him restoring classic cars to fund the renovation of a farmhouse for his parents. In November 2025, Anstead revealed he suffered a detached pectoral muscle, torn rotator cuff, and labrum, viewing the injury as a 'wake-up call' to prioritize his health. As of July 2026, Anstead is actively pursuing a green card, indicating his intention to settle permanently in the United States. He and Zellweger are also facing a civil lawsuit, filed in February 2025, by a guest who allegedly fell at their Laguna Beach rental property in August 2024, with a trial set for June 22, 2026.