Like stressed-out singleton Bridget Jones, Renée Zellweger hasn’t always had the best time when it comes to romance. But the American actress is looking more loved-up than ever with partner Ant Anstead. And as she prepares to return to the UK to reprise her famous role for a fourth time, it looks like the star could be preparing to walk down the aisle once more.
Renée, 54, began dating British beau Ant, 44, in 2021. Now, as reports suggest the fourth Bridget Jones film – based on Helen Fielding’s 2023 book Mad About The Boy – is set to start production in May, talk has reached fever pitch that Renée and Ant will tie the knot while she’s in the UK.
“Renée was never going to say no to this project. She adores Helen Fielding and the franchise, and it goes without saying that there’s a huge pay cheque, too,” an insider tells heat.
“But another big pull to sign on was so she and Ant can spend more time with his family and many of the friends she has here herself. It ticks a lot of boxes to get hitched here as opposed to California, since Renée considers herself an honorary Brit, and a quiet ceremony in the countryside would suit them perfectly. It’s a question of timing and logistics, but that’s what’s being discussed now and it seems like a no-brainer.”
Renée and Ant didn’t have the most standard of meets. The couple met on the set of random reality TV show Celebrity IOU: Joyride – Ant presented while Renée was one of the stars who created “automotive masterpieces for someone special in their lives”.
Since then, two-time Oscar winner Renée – who was very briefly married to country singer Kenny Chesney, and lists Bradley Cooper and Jim Carrey among her exes – has fit right in with Ant’s family. The TV presenter has three children – two with his first wife Louise, and one with US TV host Christina Haack. Marriage has been “on the list” for the couple for a long time, but simply hasn’t been a priority. Now, with her filming in the UK, there’s a chance for the “old-fashioned” wedding of Renée’s dreams.
We’ll start shopping for a hat!
