Benedict Cumberbatch and his fiancée Sophie Hunter are expecting their first baby together. In a statement sent to HELLO! Online the actor's publicist said: "I am delighted to confirm that Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter are expecting their first child.
"They are both over the moon."
Reports that The Imitation Game star and his fiancée were expecting a child first surfaced on Wednesday morning, with a source telling Page Six that Benedict was "delighted about becoming a father, and is planning to get married sooner than expected, in the next few months.
Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter are reportedly expecting their first child together
The source added: "Sophie is a few months along, and both she and Benedict are very excited about it. They are also quietly planning to marry in early spring." The couple were last seen together on the red carpet at the Palm Springs Film Festival, where Sophie is believed to have been concealing her growing bump with a Just Cavalli maxi dress and strategically placed clutch bag.
The news comes just days after Benedict told reporters that his wedding planning is on hold until after awards season, saying: "One thing at a time!"
Benedict Cumberbatch and his fiancée announced their engagement in The Times
The 38-year-old looks set to have an exciting year ahead, both personally and professionally, as he has also been nominated for a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award for his role in The Imitation Game. Speaking at the Palm Springs Film Festival the actor said he finds the recent acclaim "very flattering" and described awards season as "a wonderful burst of manic crazy fresh air".
Benedict and Sophie broke the news of their engagement with an announcement from his parents in the Forthcoming Marriages section of The Times. The couple are believed to have been dating since June, however their friendship dates back to 2009 when they appeared in the film Burlesque Fairytales.