Anthony Richard Anstead (born 28 March 1979) is an English television presenter, motor specialist, car builder, designer, and artist, best known for co-presenting the Channel 4 automotive show For the Love of Cars with Philip Glenister. From 2017–2021, Anstead replaced Edd China as co-host of the show Wheeler Dealers, (S.14–16) alongside Mike Brewer, during the filming and production at their US base.
Early life Anstead was born in Plymouth, Devon, England. He lived in Ely, Cambridgeshire, until he was 10, then moved with his family to Hertfordshire. He was educated at Richard Hale School, Hertford, then attended the nearby Haileybury School to complete his A-levels. At 16 Anstead built his first kit car and sold it immediately for a profit. He then bought an MG and so began his infatuation with cars.
Early career Anstead joined Hertfordshire Constabulary in 1999 and became a police constable first stationed at Bishop's Stortford. He moved to Cheshunt police station and then became a member of the tactical firearms team (TFU) in Welwyn Garden City. During his early police career, Anstead guarded John Duffy the convicted railway murderer for three days in a police safe house. He went on to receive two commendations for acts of bravery.
Anstead played semi-professional football for over 15 years playing over 700 matches at Ryman level, and made the transition from goalkeeper to striker.
Television career Anstead started his own television production company in 2014..
In his 2019 TV show Ant Anstead Master Mechanic, Anstead uses a variety of components, from spare parts to donor cars to hand-build a homage to the Alfa Romeo 158. The show sees Anstead work with a variety of automotive personalities and experts in the field.
Wheeler Dealers In 2017, Anstead was offered a five-year contract to move with his family to the United States for Wheeler Dealers USA and to replace co-host and close friend Edd China, who had decided to return to the UK.
Three years later, production was transferred back to the UK without Anstead, as he has a young son, Hudson who is settled in the US with his second ex-wife Christina Haack with whom he shares custody.
Personal life He started dating American television personality Christina Haack in October 2017. On 22 December 2018, they married at their Newport Beach, California home. Their son was born in September 2019. The couple separated in September 2020 and divorced the following year.
In April 2021, Anstead began a relationship with American actress Renée Zellweger.
Anstead is patron of Harrison's Fund, a charity that supports research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Filmography Television Year Title Role Channel2014 For the Love of Cars PresenterChannel 42015 Building Cars LiveBBC Two2016World's Most Expensive CarsChannel 4 BBC Worldwide2016The One ShowBBC One2016Chinese New Year: The Biggest Celebration on EarthBBC Two2016New York: America's Busiest CityBBC Two2016Craft: I Made ThisChannel 42016The Lost Lotus: Restoring a Race CarChannel 42017–2020 Wheeler DealersMotor Trend2017 Britain's Greatest InventionBBC Two2017 Craft It YourselfChannel 42017Sunday Brunch – LiveChannel 42018 Barrett-Jackson Live Auto AuctionDiscovery Channel2019 Ant Anstead Master MechanicMotor Trend 2019Christina on the CoastHGTV2020World's Greatest CarsSky2021–presentCelebrity IOU: JoyrideDiscovery+2024 Ant Anstead: Born MechanicQuest
Bibliography
Cops and Robbers: The Story of the British Police Car, HarperCollins UK, 2018, Petrol Head Parenting: The Essential Guide to Diagnosing and Nurturing a Petrol Head, Great Flood Publishing, 2018,
References
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