British actor James Whishaw has confirmed that he married last year.

His representative said last night that he and his boyfriend, Australian composer Mark Bradshaw, entered into a civil partnership in Sydney last August.

Whishaw’s spokesperson said yesterday: ‘Due to speculation, I can confirm that Ben and Mark entered into a civil partnership in August 2012. They were proud to do so and are very happy.

‘Ben has never hidden his sexuality, but like many actors he prefers not to discuss his family or life outside of his work.’

Whishaw has typically kept a low profile with regards to his personal life, but speculation about his sexuality has sparked online debate since 2010.

According to British newspaper The Daily Mail, the couple met in 2009 while filming the movie Bright Star about John Keats’s affair with his neighbor.

Whishaw has been named one of the greatest actors of this generation, having made a successful transition from stage roles like Hamlet to television and cinema screens roles in Cloud Atlas and James Bond film Skyfall.

The BAFTA-winning actor had also been named as a potential replacement for Matt Smith to play the new Doctor Who, which will be revealed tonight on BBC at 7 pm.

Whishaw dismissed the rumors saying: ‘I don’t think you can be Q and Doctor Who. It would be a bit wrong.’

