"Sherlock" star Benedict Cumberbatch has become engaged to theater director Sophie Hunter, says The Hollywood Reporter.
An announcement that appeared in the Forthcoming Marriages section of UK's The Times tipped off the press and public.
The full announcement read: "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 Katherine Hunter of Edinburgh and Charles Hunter of London.
A representative for the actor has confirmed the news but did not give additional information, according to Mirror Online.
"I am delighted to confirm this morning's announcement that Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter are engaged," the rep told the publication.
Rumors about the engagement sparked when Cumberbatch flew to Edinburgh last month, where Hunter's mother lives. The 38-year-old actor and the 36-year-old director were first seen in public together at the French Open in June, says Daily Mail UK. The two met in 2009 when they starred in Burlesque Fairytales.
Meanwhile, the news has caused frenzy on Twitter with fans sharing what they thought about the engagement.
Some pointed out the way the announcement was made. User @ellenRstewart said: "Today Benedict Cumberbatch proved people really do read the classified section. Who'd have thought it, eh? And they say print is dead."
User @jayrayner1 chided The Times, saying: "Congrats to @thetimes which has a classified announcing Benedict Cumberbatch's engagement - but apparently no news story, despite knowing."
Many expressed their heartbreak over the news. "Did you hear the sound of my heart breaking?" said user @jeegeronimo. User @niaamh_1 was equally sad and posted, "Benedict Cumberbatch is engaged that's my life officially over."
One sympathized with those who were heartbroken. "Calm down folks, it could easily be another Benedict Cumberbatch," said user @robbiereviews.
Meanwhile, user @Banvia was surprised about the engagement, but for a different reason. She posted: "Apparently Benedict Cumberbatch is engaged. Much to my surprise, it isn't to me."
