While Bridget Jones grapples with loving and losing her Mr Darcy, the actress behind the iconic character, Renee Zellweger, doesn’t seem to have any trouble in that department right now. The American actress, 55, was supported by her longterm partner Ant Anstead, 45, at the Mad About The Boy premiere on Wednesday, which is Renee’s fourth time taking on the role of the chaotic, beloved Bridget. This new Bridget Jones film sees her cope as a single mother after the death of her husband Mark Darcy (played by Colin Firth) – while her ex-boyfriend Daniel Cleaver, expertly portrayed by Hugh Grant, survives into this instalment of the romantic comedy.

While Renee has been busy nabbing Oscars for her roles in Judy (2020) and Cold Mountain (2004) over the years – while also playing everyone’s favourite singleton in Bridget Jones – Ant has enjoyed a varied career. Having built bespoke cars since he was a child, Ant was first a police constable before he hit our screens on Channel 4 series For The Love Of Cars. During his former career – which also saw him becoming a member of the Tactical Firearms Unit – Ant received two commendations for acts of bravery.

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video. Up Next. However, in 2005 Ant resigned from the Police to pursue his dream of becoming a car builder. He started restoring cars for clients and gained a reputation, which would eventually see him on TV screens and lead him to Renee. Renee and Ant met while filming on his Discovery+ show Celebrity IOU Joyride, which saw him and costar Cristy Lee help stars give their cars away.

In Renee’s episode – filmed in April 2021 – Ant helped her gift twin brothers and caretakers, Jerome and Jerald, with new cars. Five months later in September the pair went Instagram official with their relationship. Ant later told People that he was ‘really grateful’ to the show 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 said. ‘And that’s what happened in this case.’.

A source also told People that their chemistry was instant. ‘Sometimes two people just meet and click, and the timing is right,’ they said. ‘Renée 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.’. Another source told the US publication that Renee had found a love in which she ‘feels confident and secure about herself’.

Renee is blended with Ant’s family, as he shares a little boy called Hudson with ex-wife Christina Haak, as well as daughter Amelie, 21, and son Archie, 18, with his first wife Louise Anstead. Meanwhile, Texas-born Renee only married once – to country singer Kenny Chesney – in a marriage that only lasted four months in 2005. She also famously dated now-retired comedian Jim Carrey from 1999 to 2000 and A Star is Born actor Bradley Cooper after the pair met on the set of Case 39.

‘I can’t say enough about her. I never met her before this, but I just love her,’ Cooper told Entertainment Tonight at the time. ‘I love coming to work. I love acting with her. I can learn so much from her.’. She also dated The White Stripes frontman Jack White, after they co-starred in Cold Mountain together in 2003, but split the following year. Renee’s ring finger at the London premiere this week sparked some mutterings, as it appeared to be concealed with two gold bandages. Some thought there could be a ring hiding under this, but this seems unlikely from the photos.

No wedding has ever been reported on or confirmed, but in 2023 a source told the US Sun that they were keeping their plans ‘incredibly private’ – and if they were to tie the knot they would do so without a ‘big public announcement’. It was added that, ‘She has been telling her inner circle about organizing their nuptials. Everything will be very low-key. ‘Her relationship with Ant is super strong and they’re madly in love, and they can’t wait to get hitched,’ the source added.

However People later confirmed they were not engaged. Got a story?. If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you. Arrow MORE: Hugh Grant reveals how he accidentally ‘poisoned’ his kids giving them worms. Arrow MORE: Netflix fans have 9 days to watch these iconic 00s rom-coms.