Sherlock's Benedict Cumberbatch to become a father

Screen star Benedict Cumberbatch is to become a father as his fiancee Sophie Hunter is pregnant, according to reports.

The Sherlock actor's publicist is said to have told newspapers that theatre director Sophie is expecting and that the couple are "over the moon".

Benedict, 38, and Sophie, 36, announced their engagement in The Times newspaper on November 5 last year and they are said to be planning to marry this spring.

Benedict is enjoying a golden period in his career as one of Britain's most popular actors and he has been lauded for his role as codebreaker Alan Turing in The Imitation Game.

Sophie is an Oxford graduate who studied modern languages. She has directed a number of experimental and avant garde productions including a puppet version of Shackleton's Antarctic expedition which toured the US.

She has taken acting roles in TV shows such as Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood and an episode of Midsomer Murders, as well as the 2004 film version of Vanity Fair starring Reese Witherspoon.

She appeared alongside Benedict in the 2009 film Burlesque Fairytales.

Victoria Wilson
Feature Writer for What’s on TV, TV Times, TV & Satellite Week and WhatToWatch.com

With over 20 years’ experience writing about TV and film, Vicky currently writes features for What’s on TV, TV Times, TV & Satellite Week magazines plus news and watching guides for WhatToWatch.com, a job which involves chatting to a whole host of famous faces. Our Vicky LOVES light entertainment, with Strictly Come Dancing, Britain’s Got Talent and The Voice UK among her fave shows. Basically, if it’s got a shiny floor, she’s all over it! When she’s not watching TV, you might find Vicky in therapy… retail therapy that is!