Why Christina El Moussa and Ant Anstead Wanted a Surprise Wedding

From Country Living

• Christina El Moussa married Ant Anstead in December 2018 and is changing her name to Christina Anstead.

• Ant, host of Discovery's Wheeler Dealers, was Christina's boyfriend for a year before their secret wedding.

• Christina and ex-husband Tarek El Moussa separated in May 2016, and their divorce was finalized in January 2018.

When guests arrived at Christina El Moussa and Ant Anstead's home in Newport Beach, California, in late December 2018, they were surprised to learn that they were not attending a holiday boat parade as planned, but rather the couple's wedding. "Got ya!" a tuxedo-clad Ant, 39, said to seated friends and family.

"We didn't want all the fuss," Christina, 35, who's changing her name to Christina Anstead, told People of the big day. "Just a quiet wedding without all the drama and paparazzi."

In fact, few even knew the couple, who had been dating for over a year, was engaged. The Flip or Flop star and her English TV presenter beau had managed to keep quiet ever since the proposal (on the beach at sunset, with champagne) in September.

Christina first met Ant in late 2017, about a year after her split from ex-husband and HGTV co-star Tarek El Moussa. A mutual friend introduced them, but Christina has since credited their connection to fate.

The duo celebrated their six-month anniversary in May 2018. Around that time, we chatted with Christina about Ant (which, if you're wondering, is his real name-short for Anthony).

"We have a very similar job so we understand each other's work hours and everything that goes into that," Christina, who is getting her own new show, said, "trolling on social media, he just gets it."

A former police officer (one of the youngest in UK history!) and semi-professional soccer player, he's best known for co-hosting Channel 4's For the Love of Cars, BBC Two's Building Cars Live, and Wheeler Dealers. He has consistently shut down negative comments on Instagram and supported his wife's decision to continue working with Tarek on a new season of Flip or Flop.

"The fact that he totally understands is awesome," Christina told us, adding that she and Tarek had been already working on this particular season for months by the time she met Ant. "It's amazing actually that we're able to work together and he's been nothing but supportive."

When a follower commented on a picture of the pair asking, "Isn't it weird that she is still on TV with her ex?" Ant replied simply: "Not at all! What truly inspiring professionals they both are! Hats off to them."

Beyond their professions, Christina and Ant have even more in common. Most notably, each has a daughter and a son from a previous marriage.

Christina, of course, is mom to Taylor, 8, and Brayden, 3, whom she shares with Tarek, while Ant is dad to Amelie, 15, and Archie, 12, his kids with ex-wife, Louise, from whom he also split last year.

"[He's] an amazing dad to his children and also great with mine, driven and talented, humble and kind, patient and a great listener, fun and hilarious, spiritual and to top it all off he's hot AF," Christina wrote on Ant's birthday.

Even Tarek approves of his ex-wife's new husband.

"He seems like a good guy," Tarek told us this spring. "He has kids, he's good to my kids, and I'm happy she finally found a decent, normal guy. Good for her."

Both Tarek and Christina seem to be doing well now. Tarek's cancer is in remission, his back has healed from his recent injury, and he just purchased a bachelor pad. Meanwhile, Christina also bought a new house, which she'll fix up on Christina on the Coast. The series will follow her professional and personal life-and that includes Ant.

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