(Image source from: Benedict Cumberbatch)

Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch and theatre director Sophie Hunter announced their engagement Wednesday, making the news public with a minuscule eight-line announcement on the births, deaths and marriages page of The Times newspaper in London.

According to the paper's social diary, the 38-year-old Sherlock star is engaged to his theatre director girlfriend Sophie Hunter.

Cumberbatch's spokeswoman, Karon Maskill, confirmed the engagement.

Cumberbatch, 38, has been Oscar-tipped for his portrayal of Alan Turing in The Imitation Game.

She studied theatre in Paris and New York and has appeared as an actor in films including the 2004 adaptation of Vanity Fair starring Reese Witherspoon

AW: Arun Kumar