Ant Anstead Says He Often Forgets Girlfriend Renee Zellweger Is Famous in Rare Mention: ‘She’s So Normal’

Ant Anstead may be dating the star of an iconic film franchise, but he says his relationship with Renée Zellweger is surprisingly normal.

The British automotive expert and TV host, 45, weighed in on whether it was “weird” to be in a high profile romance with the Bridget Jones’s Diary star and Oscar winner, 55, during a visit to U.K. talk show Jeremy Vine on 5 this week.

Asked what it’s like to be a relationship that is “so minutely gazed upon by total strangers,” Ant shrugged it off.

“I don’t give it any time,” the former Wheeler Dealers host said. “I mean, ultimately, it is microscopically examined, I’m sure, but I don’t really think about that. She’s so incredibly normal and I often forget that she’s famous.”

The couple began dating after meeting on the set of his Discovery+ show Celebrity IOU: Joyride in early June 2021.

“Thank you, Discovery, for your dating services,” Ant joked of their initial meeting.

Anstead, who was promoting his latest show on the network, Ant Anstead: Born Mechanic, said Zellweger wouldn’t be joining him on the new series due to conflicting schedules.

“Unfortunately, while I was filming through the summer, she was also busy, so it didn’t work out,” he said, referring to the making of Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, which has been shooting in London.

While Anstead said he doesn’t yet have plans to travel to the U.K. for the premiere of Zellweger’s film, he’s an admirer of the iconic series.

“It’s a duty of us Brits to be Bridget Jones fans,” he said. “It’s not by any mistake that the movie makes its fourth movie, you know. Great movies return and it’s a great movie.” While filming their Joyride episode, Anstead revealed he actually didn’t realize Zellweger wasn’t really British until they met on set.

In August, a smitten Anstead shared his reaction to the movie poster for the fourth Bridget Jones installment.

“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. 

The much-anticipated movie is scheduled to premiere on Valentine’s Day in 2025. Hugh Grant and Emma Thompson also return, alongside new cast members Leo Woodall and Isla Fisher.

In April 2024, a source told PEOPLE that Anstead would be temporarily relocating back to his native England while Zellweger worked on the project. 

“Ant is going over to the U.K. with Renée while she is filming [Bridget Jones’s Diary 4] later this year,” the insider told PEOPLE at the time. “Ant is excited to spend time with his older kiddos.”

Antsead shares daughter Amelie, 21, and son Archie, 18, with his first wife Louise Storey. They are based in the U.K., while Hudson, the 5-year-old son he shares with his second wife, HGTV star Christina Haack, lives in California. 

Zellweger and Anstead share a home together in Orange County that they moved into in spring 2023, a source confirmed to PEOPLE at the time. 

Last month, Anstead included a nod to Zellweger in a birthday tribute to Hudson.

“Happy birthday Hudzo! WOW what a privilege it’s been to witness you become a bright, sparkly, funny, brilliant, generous, magnetic, talented and kind little man,” Anstead began his caption on Sept. 6.

“NayNay and I love you very much!” he added, seemingly using Hudson’s nickname for Zellweger.

In September, Anstead also shared a photo of a bouquet of white roses he seemingly received from Zellweger on his Instagram Stories.

The image includes a sweet note that reads, “Welcome home, sweet man!”  The actress appeared to sign the message “I love you,” though the last word was covered by one of the blooms.

 “Ladies…Trust Me on This! Buy Men Flowers!” Anstead captioned the post.

While he has plenty to celebrate at the moment, Anstead is also facing a difficult time with his supercar company, Radford Motors, which is facing several lawsuits. The company filed for bankruptcy on Oct. 22 and is currently undergoing restructuring, PEOPLE confirmed on Tuesday.