Ant is out of a ‘dark’ place after breakup
Ant Anstead is getting real about his shocker of a divorce from reality star Christina Anstead.
The British “Wheeler Dealers” host referred to the initial split as “a big hit” when talking to People in his first interview, published Monday, since announcing their separation in September.
“Every day is an improvement,” said Anstead, 41, noting he was in “a very dark place.”
Though the father of three is starting to feel like himself once more, he lost over 23 pounds following the breakup.
“It really hit me hard,” said Anstead. “The impact on me, my sleep, my diet, my stress, it showed.”
Eventually, he got to a “turning point” where he was “either going to dwell in the darkness or I was just going to slap myself around the face a few times and say, ‘Wake up; you’re incredibly blessed. Focus on all the great things.’ ”
Following a 35-day virtual “breakup recovery” course and three-day faith-based retreat devoted to mental health and physical fitness, Anstead now knows “how incredibly worthy I am of healing.”
With the HGTV star, Anstead has son Hudson, born in September 2019. He also has Amelie, 17, and Archie, 14, from his first marriage.
He noted that even his older kids found the breakup “devastating.”
“They loved Christina,” he said. “They still do. ... I think every child just wants to see their parents happy.”
In November, the “Flip or Flop” star, 37, filed for joint custody of the tot, who Anstead said “really saved” him during the tumultuous time.
The Brit also hopes to remain close with Christina’s 10-year-old daughter Taylor and 5-year-old son Brayden, from her first marriage to “Flip or Flop” co-star Tarek El Moussa.
“If they ever need me, I’ll be there in a heartbeat,” said Anstead.
Christina Anstead filed for divorce early last month, just under two years after the two married in December 2018.
“Ant and I have made the difficult decision to separate,” she wrote on Instagram in September. “We are grateful for each other and as always, our children will remain our priority. We appreciate your support and ask for privacy for us and our family as we navigate the future.”