Hannah Waddingham has revealed she is in her first relationship in eight years.
The Ted Lasso actress, 51, let slip the love life update in her cover story interview with Women’s Health UK, giggling that her mystery man is ‘very good looking’ and ‘really lovely’.
Hannah became a single mother after her relationship with her partner Gianluca Cugnetto broke down when their daughter was two, and since then she has remained focused on her life with Kitty, now 11.
‘It’s taken me eight years,’ Hannah admitted to the magazine, when asked about getting into a new relationship. ‘I didn’t really have the space mentally or emotionally for that.’
‘I’ve hunkered down and focused on my girl and me. [But] now I’m ready to stick my head above the parapet a bit more.’
When asked if ‘it’s a very good-looking parapet,’ Hannah laughed and confirmed ‘it is!’
Hannah Waddingham has revealed she is in her first relationship in eight years. The actress, 51, let slip the update in a new interview, giggling that her mystery man is ‘very good looking’
Hannah hasn’t named her new boyfriend, but back in March she fuelled romance rumours when she was pictured with spine surgeon Nick Beresford-Cleary at the Cheltenham Festival
‘And it’s really lovely too, obviously, my relationship. But the best thing about it is, firstly, being happy and strong in myself.’
Hannah hasn’t named her new boyfriend, but back in March she fuelled romance rumours when she was pictured with handsome spine surgeon Nick Beresford-Cleary at the Cheltenham Festival.
Nick is a Consultant Spine Surgeon at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and King Edward VII Hospital, who specialises in both elective and emergency spinal surgeries.
He kickstarted his career in mechanical engineering, followed by a medical degree at Edinburgh University.
Hannah has previously explained how she manifested her role in Ted Lasso after finding herself a single mother to her daughter.
The actress had been with the father of her daughter for more than a decade and were rumoured to be engaged before they split.
‘In that moment, your career could falter because you’re left holding the baby,’ Hannah admitted of how single parenthood affected her.
‘[But] I found in myself a strength. I thought, “No, I’m not going to sit in the corner with a duvet over my head and think, oh, poor me”. I’m going to come out fighting because I know that I have so much to give in my career…
Hannah became a single mother after her relationship with her partner Gianluca Cugnetto broke down when their daughter Kitty was two. Pictured in 2015
‘I talk about [single motherhood] all the time because it’s not the same as two parents. I know that sounds ridiculous and obvious, but I think people forget it.
‘People go, “Oh yes, I’m by myself most of the time”. But that’s not the same as being sole provider. She is undoubtedly my greatest achievement because of that.’
The actress was left terrified eight years ago when her daughter, who was three years old at the time, suddenly fell ill and had to be admitted to hospital.
Kitty was suddenly diagnosed with auto-immune disorder Henoch-Schönlein purpura.
The diagnosis led Hannah to take a step back from acting, and in particular any roles that took her far away from home.
It was around this time that Hannah said she manifested the Ted Lasso role, asking the universe for a job that would challenge her as an actress but most importantly was close to her and Kitty’s London home.
Two months later she had her first meeting for the part of Rebecca, which would end up being filmed just half an hour from her home.
‘It’s taken me eight years,’ Hannah admitted when asked about getting into a new relationship. ‘I’ve hunkered down and focused on my girl and me’. Pictured with Kitty in 2019
Hannah previously revealed that she’s too busy and too picky to start dating again but added that if she were to get back on the dating market she would have strict criteria.
The full interview is in the June issue of Women’s Health UK, on sale now
She told Michelle Visage on the Rule Breakers podcast: ‘I’m a pretty picky girl really and have such a very specific kind of criteria of things.
‘One of the main things with guys, just come on man, positivity – positivity and charisma and I’m your gal. But there’s an awful lot of misogs (miserable old gits) out there. I don’t need it.’
She added: ‘I don’t go much on stereotypical cutey pie, whatever, sexy, whatever.
‘I want a guy that scoops me up and goes “I’ve got you, I don’t care if you’ve got your make-up on or not, I’m happy to lie in bed with you and have Marmite on toast and a glass of milk”.
‘And just be a lovely positive, charismatic soul. I’m 50 and I’m like, “Dude, if you are not going to step up, step off and be gone. Sod off until someone fabulous comes along”.
She elaborated that she had clear deal breakers including bad kissers and a lack of eye contact.
The full interview is in the June issue of Women’s Health UK, on sale now
