Congratulations Benedict! (Picture: PA)

Benedict Cumberbatch fans, we have something to tell you. He is officially off the market.

Yes, the Sherlock star has become engaged to his girlfriend, theatre director Sophie Hunter – but instead of announcing the news via social media or the internet, has chosen the altogether more old-fashioned method of the Times’ classified column.

The announcement in Wednesday’s paper, reveals the engagement of ‘Mr B.T Cumberbatch and Miss S.I Hunter,’ as well as namechecking the actor’s parents Wanda and Timothy.

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The pair announced their engagement in The Times (Picture: The Times)

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News of their engagement comes following rumours that the pair were an item after they were seen together at the French Open in June.

Benedict and Sophie also appeared together in the 2009 movie Burlesque Fairytales, a thriller set around a London theatre in the 1930s.

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Sophie Hunter is a theatre director who also starred alongside Benedict in 2009 film Burlesque Fairytales (Picture: Rex Features)

Benedict – who is notoriously quiet about his private life and has previously said that he does not use Twitter – recently opened up about his hopes for the future, admitting he would like to settle down.

‘I can imagine I’ll look back at this point in my life and think: “Wow that was really extraordinary.” But at the same time I hope I’m looking back and going, “Oh, that was the moment I got on with life and realised things beyond myself”,’ he told Elle magazine.

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Benedict and Sophie were spotted together at the French Open in June (Picture: Getty Images)

‘Without using words like ‘marriage’. ‘children’ and ‘family’ – although I have just used those words – put it this way, I hope I’ve got other people to look back with me at that point. I hope I’m surrounded by family.’

The actor’s new film The Imitation Game is released in the UK next week.

Meanwhile, it’s worth noting that Benedict is not the only actor to resort to such ‘old-fashioned’ methods to announce his impending nuptials.

Actor Eddie Redmayne also revealed news of his own recent engagement – to long-term girlfriend Hannah Bagshawe – via The Times’ classified column in June.

Now watch Benedict Cumberbatch on screen with Sophie Hunter in Burlesque Fairytales

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