The Twitterverse is finding it hard to come to terms with Benedict Cumberbatch's engagement to girlfriend Sophie Hunter. One user Julie Padilla said there was no point leaving the house given that the Sherlock actor is off the market. Meanwhile, another called Victoria Finan warned fellow members of the CumberCollective, as his fans are known, "this is not a drill" and said she planned to wear black.
Benedict Cumberbatch is off the market
His announcement in The Times gave a clue as to why he's so popular with the ladies, harking back to almost Downton-era etiquette.The small notice read: "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."
Benedict Cumberbatch asked Sophie Hunter's mother before proposing
The film critics of the Telegraph appeared to make fun of the distress, quipping: "Calm down folks, it could easily be another Benedict Cumberbatch".London-born actor has become a global star thanks to his role in Sherlock. He's on first name terms with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie after appearing in a string of Hollywood movies in the past few years. Despite his celebrity status the 38-year-old thesp refuses to take himself too seriously. At the Oscars this year he polished off a few mini bottles of vodka offered by Ellen DeGeneres, then photobombed U2.
His admirers can at least be certain that he has found a smart, stylish leading lady. Sophie's friendship with the actor dates back to 2009 when they appeared in a movie together. She has since go on to direct avant garde theatre productions around the world. Their relationship turned romantic earlier this year after he broke up with furniture designer Anna Jones. Benedict previously dated actress Olivia Poulet for ten years.