Benedict Cumberbatch Engaged To Sophie Hunter, Announcement Appears In 'The Times'

Actor Benedict Cumberbatch announced his engagement to girlfriend and former co-star Sophie Hunter in a classified section of “The Times” newspaper on Wednesday. The “Sherlock” star and the 36-year-old theater director appeared together in the 2009 movie “Burlesque Fairytales."

“Mr BT. Cumberbatch and Miss S.I. Hunter: The engagement is announced between Benedict, son of Wanda and Timothy Cumberbatch of London, and Sophie, daughter of Katharine Hunter of Edinburgh and Charles Hunter of London,” the announcement published in the paper’s “Forthcoming Marriages” section read.

A representative for Cumberbatch confirmed the news to Mirror Online.

The 38-year-old British actor had kept the identity of his partner a secret until it was revealed in September. Cumberbatch and Hunter sparked dating rumors after they were spotted attending the French Open tennis tournament in Paris in June. In October, the actor was rumored to have popped the question during his visit to Hunter’s hometown of Edinburgh, Scotland.

“A woman who knows that she doesn’t have to get all decked out to look good is sexy," Cumberbatch said, while describing his ideal girlfriend last year, according to Daily Mail. “A woman who can make you feel smart with her conversation skills is also sexy. I believe the sense of humor is important. I also think someone who is good at working with others is sexy.

“It’s like playing a tennis doubles match. You need to work well together if you are to stay partners for a long time,” Cunberbatch said, at the time.

Cumberbatch’s engagement comes two years after he broke up with fashion designer Anna Jones in 2012. He previously dated actress and screenwriter Olivia Poulet with whom he had a 10-year long relationship, which ended in 2010.