THE ANT ANSTEAD INTERVIEW PART 1: THE PRIVATE LIFE AND PROJECT CARS OF A WHEELER DEALER

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In this installment of 'Idol Chat,' host Jonny Smith sits down with Ant Anstead for a candid discussion covering his personal life, career trajectory, and automotive passions. Anstead reveals his enduring connection to his Devon roots despite feeling perpetually displaced, and his current life in America. He expresses a strong fondness for the Land Rover Defender, particularly the Heritage edition, which he daily drives in the US. The conversation delves into Anstead's hands-on skills, tracing them back to building kit cars at 16, a passion that predates his police career and continued through his early restorations. He highlights his preference for metalwork and welding as his 'happy place.' The interview touches upon his transition into television, starting with 'For the Love of Cars,' and his extensive 17-season football career, which he balanced with his police work and car restorations. Anstead also discusses his close friendship with Jenson Button and their joint venture, Radford, a coachbuilding company born from a shared lifelong dream. The latter part of the interview addresses the public scrutiny and personal setbacks Anstead faced, particularly his divorce and the challenges of navigating life in the public eye during the pandemic, emphasizing how he used these moments to reset and refocus on his purpose, leading to the realization of the Radford project. He recounts the unexpected opportunity to join 'Wheeler Dealers' and the family decision to relocate to the US for the role.