Hugh Bonneville 'enjoys string of dates' with his former co-star's ex-wife
Hugh Bonneville has reportedly been on "a string of dates" with fellow actor Claire Rankin and he's said to have even taken her to an event at Buckingham Palace last month.
It comes just months after Hugh, 60, separated from his now estranged wife Lulu Williams, 55. It was announced in September last year that the exes, who have a son together, had split up after more than two decades of marriage. The actor - known for his roles in Downton Abbey and the Paddington film series - is now said to be dating Claire, 53. She's understood to have spent time with Hugh recently whilst visiting the UK from her native Canada for two weeks.
Claire - whose acting credits include TV shows like Stargate Atlantis and more recently Son of a Critch - documented her vacation in posts on Instagram. It was suggested that she arrived around February 23 and then left on Friday. It's been noted that Claire was previously married to actor Josh Randall, 52, who starred alongside Hugh in the CBS sitcom Courting Alex, which aired for one season in 2006. The former couple are said to have divorced in 2013.
It was announced last year that Hugh Bonneville had separated from his wife Lulu Williams (Getty Images)
He's now said to be dating fellow actor Claire Rankin, who visited the UK from Canada recently (iamclairerankin/instagram)According to the Sun, Hugh and Claire have enjoyed "a string of dates" and spent time at his flat in London. She is said to have accompanied him to an event last month and met one of his former co-stars whilst at a dinner together.
Hugh was among the celebrity guests at the final of the BBC's 500 Words Competition at Buckingham Palace on February 28. He read one of the winning stories at the event, which was hosted by Queen Camilla. And Claire is understood to have been in the audience at the reception, having posted a photo of her name badge and programme.
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It's been suggested that the pair had dinner at Broadwick Soho Hotel on Wednesday as part of a group, which is said to have included Michelle Dockery, who starred with Hugh on Downton Abbey. Claire posted about visiting the hotel, having said that she had "eleven delightful companions".
Hugh and Claire are understood to have been spotted arm-in-arm on their way back to his flat afterwards. An onlooker told the outlet: "Hugh and Claire looked so happy together, they couldn't stop smiling. They looked like any other couple and seemed to be really enjoying each other's company."
She shared updates from her trip on social media, including having attended an event at Buckingham Palace that Hugh was also at (iamclairerankin/Instagram)
Claire was once married to Josh Randall, who worked with Hugh on a sitcom more than a decade ago (WireImage)Photos show Hugh wearing what appears to be a navy suit, which includes a blue shirt. He accompanied the outfit with beige footwear and was seen with his hands in his pockets. Claire was pictured in a lengthy grey coat, dark trousers and a pair of black boots. She accessorised with a patterned scarf and was seen with her arm around her fellow actor.
Claire's posts on Instagram from her two-week trip included her revealing that she had been to see a few West End theatre productions and that she had visited Brighton. She shared various photos from her time in the UK recently.
The Sun reports that Claire posted a photo of herself and Hugh upon her departure and teased: "Until we meet again." It's said to have since been deleted. He doesn't appear to be in any of the photos on Instagram, except one that shows two pairs of shoes beside each other. One pair matches the footwear worn by Hugh in the photos from earlier this week.
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