Ant Anstead ‘devastated’ after being forced to cancel Christmas with his older children

Ant Anstead will be unable to make his planned trip to the U.K. to spend Christmas with his 17-year-old daughter Amelie and son Archie, 14. 

The 41-year-old Wheelers Dealers star, who had been in the United States to spend Thanksgiving with his estranged wife Christina Anstead and their one-year-old son Hudson, cannot fly back to the U.K. because of England’s ‘Tier 4’ restrictions, which were put into effect on Sunday and ban travel into the country.

‘He is devastated,’ a source told People

‘Devastated’: Ant Anstead will be unable to make his planned trip to the U.K. to spend Christmas with his 17-year-old daughter Amelie and son Archie, 14

And Ant took to the comments of his own Instagram post to articulate his feelings on the matter.

‘Brutal!!!!!’ he replied to a question about his changed holiday plans, adding a heartbroken emoji. 

The father-of-three does not currently know what his Christmas plans are, per People’s sources. 

Concern over a fast-spreading variant of the novel coronavirus have forced the U.K. into a state of restrictive lockdown, and Amelia and Archie aren’t able to enter the U.S.

'Brutal': Anstead, 41, cannot fly back to the U.K. because of England's 'Tier 4' restrictions, which were put into effect on Sunday and ban travel into the country

‘Brutal’: Anstead, 41, cannot fly back to the U.K. because of England’s ‘Tier 4’ restrictions, which were put into effect on Sunday and ban travel into the country

Family time: Anstead, who recently split from his wife Christina after less than two years of marriage, had been visiting their baby son Hudson, one, in the United States

Family time: Anstead, who recently split from his wife Christina after less than two years of marriage, had been visiting their baby son Hudson, one, in the United States

‘Unfortunately, Amelie and Archie don’t have any residential status, so they’re not actually allowed to enter the U.S.,’ Ant told People last week of how coronavirus-related travel restrictions have kept him physically apart from his teenagers.   

He continued: ‘So, I have booked to go back to the U.K. for Christmas. I’m going to get onto a plane, and I’m going to go and see Ams, Arch, and my folks and my brothers.’ 

Despite daily FaceTime sessions with his youngsters, the father-of-three has found it ‘incredibly frustrating’ to not see his kids in person since they’re usually just a flight away. 

‘My ex Louise and I, we have a great relationship, we’re still very, very close friends. I always team up with her, and then we always surprise the kids,’ he said of pre-COVID life. 

Up in the air: The father-of-three does not currently know what his Christmas plans are, per People's sources. Seen here with Hudson

Up in the air: The father-of-three does not currently know what his Christmas plans are, per People’s sources. Seen here with Hudson 

Better times: Christina and Ant (pictured together in 2019) filed for divorce, after two years of marriage, in September

Better times: Christina and Ant (pictured together in 2019) filed for divorce, after two years of marriage, in September 

He shares his older children with his U.K.-based ex-wife Louise Anstead. 

It has been months since last Ant’s last visit over the summer, which included celebrating Archie’s birthday and Amelie’s high school graduation. 

His plans originally meant he wouldn’t be able to see the baby boy he shares with second wife Christina on Christmas Day, and had been Stateside so as to spend ‘some time with Hudson leading up to Christmas.’ 

‘I am incredibly lucky,’ he said at the time regarding his belief he would have the ability to divide his time between his youngsters amid the holiday season. 

'I am incredibly lucky,' he said before the lockdown for having the ability to divide his time with all his little ones amid the holiday season

‘I am incredibly lucky,’ he said before the lockdown for having the ability to divide his time with all his little ones amid the holiday season

Ant and Christina were married for less than two years when she announced their split via an Instagram post on September 18. 

Last month, Christina admitted she’s endured an ‘isolating year’ just hours after signing the papers and beginning the legal process to end her marriage to Ant. 

The 37-year-old reality star also quelled the rumors she’s ‘an absent mother’ with an Instagram post where she detailed her challenging time. 

Family first: Christina shares two children with Tarek, Taylor and Brayden, and has a one-year-old son with Ant, Hudson

Family first: Christina shares two children with Tarek, Taylor and Brayden, and has a one-year-old son with Ant, Hudson

‘This year has been incredibly isolating. Activities like church, travel, dinner, movies, sports- canceled,’ she wrote. ‘No longer seeing my friends smiling faces on set (all covered by masks) it all feels like shit. So many changes for so many people.’

Christina has starred on the popular HGTV design and renovation show, Flip or Flop, with ex husband Tarek El Moussa since 2013.  

‘So despite what you see on Instagram most people are struggling,’ she continued. ‘When I get told ‘you must be an absent mother because you are not with your kids’ – smh wake up people. 

Season nine: Christina has starred on the popular HGTV design and renovation show, Flip or Flop, with ex husband Tarek El Moussa since 2013

Season nine: Christina has starred on the popular HGTV design and renovation show, Flip or Flop, with ex husband Tarek El Moussa since 2013

‘I hardly post anymore … and I def do not want to post my kids every freaking day to make it a contest of who’s a better parent. f that. This doesn’t mean I’m not with my kids – it means the opposite – I am with them- I’m present.’

Christina shares two children with Tarek, Taylor and Brayden. 

Flip or Flop was recently renewed for a 10th season, which will be the fourth season Christina and Tarek have worked on together since their split in 2016.

'So stop parent shaming people, stop choosing sides when there is no side to choose,' she added. 'My point being - when you see stuff on here take it all with a grain of salt'

‘So stop parent shaming people, stop choosing sides when there is no side to choose,’ she added. ‘My point being – when you see stuff on here take it all with a grain of salt’ 

‘So stop parent shaming people, stop choosing sides when there is no side to choose,’ she added. ‘My point being – when you see stuff on here take it all with a grain of salt.’

She continued: ‘There is a whole lot of Filters and fake smiles. I’ve been guilty of faking it too. We are all struggling – some of us are just better at ‘masking’ it.’

In September, Christina announced her and Ant’s split with an Instagram post and wrote: ‘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.’