Sophie Hunter and Benedict Cumberbatch expecting baby 

Sophie Hunter and Benedict Cumberbatch at the Palm Springs film festival gala. Photograph: REX

The actor Benedict Cumberbatch is to become a father as his partner Sophie Hunter is pregnant, it has been confirmed.

In a statement to the Guardian, the star’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.”

Cumberbatch, 38, and Hunter, 36, announced their engagement in The Times newspaper on 5 November last year. They are expected to marry this spring, reportedly earlier than anticipated.

The engaged couple have been seen at multiple awards ceremonies over the past couple of months, following Cumberbatch’s much-acclaimed performance as Alan Turing in The Imitation Game.

On Sunday, the actor is a frontrunner for the best actor in a drama award at the Golden Globes; his name is also likely to appear on the Bafta nominations list, announced on Friday morning.

This will be a first child for both Cumberbatch and Hunter.

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