Hollywood A-lister Renée Zellweger is looking to make a permanent move to the UK after falling in love with the country all over again.
Renée, 55, who is currently renting a £4 million townhouse in London as she films the new Bridget Jones movie, is said to be so happy to be back in the UK, she now wants to make it her home.
Getting engaged to British TV presenter Ant Anstead, 45, has also played a big part in the couple’s decision on where to live when they’re married.
A source says, “Renée loves England. She’s always been a real Anglophile, even before doing Bridget Jones. Now that she’s marrying a Brit, it just makes sense to make a home there.
“Ant’s relatives in the UK are all getting older and he wants to spend more time back home. Renée is all for it and they’ve agreed the best thing to do is buy a house. That way, whenever they go back they can have somewhere that’s totally private and decorated just to their taste.”
Renée, who filmed the first Bridget Jones movie in London 23 years ago, has always been open about her love of the UK and has been spotted in pubs enjoying a pint of Guinness with the locals. Now it seems that she wants to make sure she can do that even when she’s not just here for work.
“They’ll still keep a place in California, but having a bolt hole for romantic trips and somewhere to celebrate special occasions with Ant’s kids is a no brainer,” the source continues. “During her time off from filming they’ve been going out scouting different towns and looking at houses.”
Renée, who was previously married to comedy actor Jim Carrey and divorced country singer Kenny Chesney in 2005, met Ant in 2021 on the set of the reality show Celebrity IOU Joyride. At the time, Ant was just seven months out of his marriage to reality star Christina Haack, who he’d starred with in the home renovation show Christina On The Coast.
Despite initially finding fame in the UK as the host of Channel 4’s For The Love Of Cars, Ant moved to the US in 2017 to present Wheeler Dealers USA. He remained there for ex-wife Christina and their son Hudson. Ant is also dad to two other children from a previous marriage.
“They’re so incredibly happy together and love living in California, so having a place in the UK will be the cherry on top,” adds our insider. “Renée really feels that she’s living out her dream life now – she can have the best of both worlds between southern California and England. This is the happiest she’s ever been.”