Ant Anstead Shuts Down Speculation He’s Leaving California, Where He Shares Custody of Son with Christina Haack

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:Amy Sussman/Getty, Ant Anstead/Instagram

Amy Sussman/Getty, Ant Anstead/Instagram

Ant Ansteadisn’t leaving the U.S., despite spending more time in U.K.

In the comment section of a post showing a behind-the-scenes look at therenovation project Anstead’s currently working on in the United Kingdomfor his showAnt Anstead: Born Mechanic, a fan asked the British-born car expert if he has “moved back to the mother land.”

His response? “Noooo!”

“Laguna beach is my home!” he wrote. “Just went back to [surprise] my folks x X.”

Ant Anstead says he’s not leaving Laguna Beach to move to the U.K. in an Instagram comment.Instagram

Instagram

The coastal Orange County city is also where his 5-year-old sonHudson, whom he shares with ex-wifeChristina Haack(formerly Hall), lives.

Haack and Antstead — who recentlymade headlines for sharing a friendly interaction on social mediaafter theircontentious 2021 custody battle. The exes “have joint legal and joint physical custody" of their son, PEOPLE previously reported.

Though he hasn’t relocated permanently, Anstead hasbeen spending significant time in the U.K.as girlfriendRenée Zellwegerfilms thelong-awaited fourth installment of theBridget Jones’s Diaryseriesthere.

Ant Anstead with kids Amelie, Hudson and Archie.Ant Anstead/Instagram

Ant Anstead/Instagram

Before Zellweger, 55, headed overseas to reprise her iconic role, a source confirmed the temporary move, telling PEOPLE that theCelebrity IOU: Joyridehost was “going over to the U.K. with Renée while she is filming.”

The insider also noted that the star was “excited to spend time with his older kiddos,” as his two eldest children — daughter Amelie, 21, and son Archie, 18, from his first marriage withLouise Storey— both live in the U.K.

Though Anstead made the temporary move back to his home country, he and Zellweger — who havebeen dating for three years— actually share a home together in Orange County.

Ant Anstead and Renee Zellweger.Ant Anstead/Instagram

At the time, the star himself confirmed to PEOPLE that “Temple is sold,” noting that the off-market sale “came at the right time, for another property and a change in my personal life that I’m really pleased about.”

“So I was like, yeah. I made the call there and then,” he added.

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While Zellweger films the latestBridget Jonesfilm, Anstead is working hard on a car in the historic U.K. barn that doubles as his temporary workspace.

The barn, he previously explained, is where he plans to fix up some antique automobiles so he can fund the complete restoration ofthe 500-year-old English farmhouse he bought for his parents.

Speculation about Anstead’s home base comes as the star’s car company Radford Motors, which he co-founded in 2020 with racecar driver Jenson Button,has filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy.

source: people.com