Ant Anstead was in ‘a very dark place’ after his split from estranged wife Christina

Ant Anstead’s estranged wife Christina, 37, announced their shocking split in September, after less than two years of marriage.

And although he is currently ‘making steps towards healing,’ the Wheeler Dealers host, 41, admitted to People that grappling with the divorce put him in ‘a very dark place.’

‘It really hit me hard. The impact on me, my sleep, my diet, my stress, it showed,’ said Anstead, who ‘lost more than 20 lbs’ in wake of the devastating breakup. 

Healing: Although he is currently ‘making steps towards healing,’ Ant Anstead admitted to People that grappling with his divorce from estranged wife Christina put him in ‘a very dark place’; Ant pictured in 2019

‘Every day is an improvement. Obviously, going back a couple of months, I mean, it was a big hit.’

But, fortunately for the UK native, he was able to muster up the strength to dig himself out of his depression and shift his focus onto the ‘great things’ in his life.  

‘I reached this turning point where I 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,”‘ he recalled.

Ant’s first step towards healing occurred when he decided to sign up for a 35-day online ‘breakup recovery’ course, followed by a faith-based weekend retreat focused on harmonizing the mind and body.

Split: Ant Anstead's estranged wife Christina, 37, announced their shocking split in September, after less than two years of marriage; Ant and Christina pictured

Split: Ant Anstead’s estranged wife Christina, 37, announced their shocking split in September, after less than two years of marriage; Ant and Christina pictured 

He explained to the outlet that the recovery course and the retreat helped remind him that ‘nobody controls me but me’ and that it is ‘up to me to empower myself and realize how incredibly worthy I am of healing.’

Anstead also found the strength to open up and lean on his daughter Amelie, 17, and son Archie, 14, who reside in the United Kingdom with their mother Louise. Ant and were married from 2005 until their divorce in 2017.

‘[Amelie and Archie] are genuinely my best friends,’ he gushed. Ant revealed that the news of his divorce from Christina was ‘was devastating for them,’ as well. 

‘It was a very, very difficult FaceTime call,’ he recalled. ‘They loved Christina — they still do — and they really wanted us to work. I think every child just wants to see their parents happy.’

Hard hit: 'It really hit me hard. The impact on me, my sleep, my diet, my stress, it showed,' said Anstead, who 'lost more than 20 lbs' in wake of the devastating breakup; Ant and Christina pictured in 2019

Hard hit: ‘It really hit me hard. The impact on me, my sleep, my diet, my stress, it showed,’ said Anstead, who ‘lost more than 20 lbs’ in wake of the devastating breakup; Ant and Christina pictured in 2019

Lifesaver: Another person that proved to be a huge lifesaver for Ant was his 16-month-old son Hudson, whom he shares with his estranged wife Christina; Hudson pictured in November

Lifesaver: Another person that proved to be a huge lifesaver for Ant was his 16-month-old son Hudson, whom he shares with his estranged wife Christina; Hudson pictured in November

Another person that proved to be a huge lifesaver for Ant was his 16-month-old son Hudson, whom he shares with his estranged wife Christina.

He admitted that dealing with the divorce ‘without [Hudson] would’ve been incredibly difficult,’ adding that the little one has ‘filled [his] heart’ and ‘really saved [him].’

Gushing over the bond his has with Hudson, Ant dished to People that they ‘enjoy going to the beach, reading, and getting out and being active’ together.

‘He and I have got this really amazing relationship between us. We’ve got this dad-son bond, and, I’m telling you, he’s one of the coolest kids around,’ said the star, who spent this past Christmas with Hudson in Arizona.

Couldn't do it without him: He admitted that dealing with the divorce 'without [Hudson] would've been incredibly difficult,' adding that the little one has 'filled [his] heart' and 'really saved [him]'; Ant and Hudson pictured in November

Couldn’t do it without him: He admitted that dealing with the divorce ‘without [Hudson] would’ve been incredibly difficult,’ adding that the little one has ‘filled [his] heart’ and ‘really saved [him]’; Ant and Hudson pictured in November 

As for what custody will look like for Ant and Christina moving forward, the Flip Or Flop hostess filed for joint custody back in November and, according to Ant, they plan to ‘co-parent amicably.’

‘There’s never been a scenario where I’ve asked for him and not had him and vice versa,’ Ant stressed.

Despite no longer being with Christina romantically, Anstead said that he hopes to ‘always have a relationship’ with Christina’s two children, daughter Taylor, 10, and son Brayden, five.

‘If they ever need me, I’ll be there in a heartbeat. All five kids are the first priority.’

Bonded: 'He and I have got this really amazing relationship between us. We've got this dad-son bond, and, I'm telling you, he's one of the coolest kids around,' said the star, who spent this past Christmas with Hudson in Arizona; Ant and Hudson pictured in November

Bonded: ‘He and I have got this really amazing relationship between us. We’ve got this dad-son bond, and, I’m telling you, he’s one of the coolest kids around,’ said the star, who spent this past Christmas with Hudson in Arizona; Ant and Hudson pictured in November

Co-parenting: As for what custody will look like for Ant and Christina moving forward, the Flip Or Flop hostess filed for joint custody back in November and, according to Ant, they plan to 'co-parent amicably'; Christina and Ant pictured

Co-parenting: As for what custody will look like for Ant and Christina moving forward, the Flip Or Flop hostess filed for joint custody back in November and, according to Ant, they plan to ‘co-parent amicably’; Christina and Ant pictured

Christina shares Taylor and Brayden with her ex husband and Flip or Flop costar, Tarek El Moussa, 39. 

Towards the latter end of his interview, Anstead admitted that he has no plans to return to the UK and will remind in the United States.

He is currently ‘staying in a rental home in Laguna Beach,’ which is in close proximity to Christina’s residence, until he finds a place to live that ‘feels like a refuge’ to him. 

‘I am making steps toward healing, even if it’s really slow,’ said the star. ‘There’s no quick fix for a broken heart.’

Baby steps: 'I am making steps toward healing, even if it's really slow,' said the star. 'There's no quick fix for a broken heart'; Ant pictured

Baby steps: ‘I am making steps toward healing, even if it’s really slow,’ said the star. ‘There’s no quick fix for a broken heart’; Ant pictured