Benedict Cumberbatch and wife Sophie Hunter welcome baby boy 

Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch and wife Sophie Hunter have become parents to a baby boy. 

The news caps a fine week for the British actor, 38, who was named a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to the performing arts and charity.

A spokesman for the couple who wed earlier this year said: 'Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter are delighted to announce the arrival of their beautiful son.

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Proud parents: Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch and wife Sophie Hunter have become parents to a baby boy

Proud parents: Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch and wife Sophie Hunter have become parents to a baby boy

'We would kindly ask everyone to respect the family's privacy during these next few precious weeks.' 

In January, just two months after announcing their engagement, a spokesperson for Benedict confirmed Sophie's pregnancy to MailOnline.

He said: 'I am delighted to confirm that Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter are expecting their first child. They are both over the moon.' 

Over the moon: A spokesman for the couple who wed earlier this year said 'Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter are delighted to announce the arrival of their beautiful son.' 

Over the moon: A spokesman for the couple who wed earlier this year said 'Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter are delighted to announce the arrival of their beautiful son.' 

Benedict had previously revealed in a number of interviews that he was extremely broody.

He told Event magazine in 2013: 'I was happy as an only child, but I’ve always wanted to be part of a bigger family. I would love to have children.

‘I can’t wait to do an interview like this and just talk about my child.

In 2010, he told the Telegraph: 'I am very broody. I have been broody for the last five years because I have two godchildren. 

Hopeful: Benedict had previously revealed in a number of interviews that he was extremely broody

Hopeful: Benedict had previously revealed in a number of interviews that he was extremely broody

'I know you pick up an amazing amount of stamina the minute you become a dad, but I would like to be a young dad. I would love to have the ability to juggle a career and have a young child.'

The star chose to announce his betrothal to Sophie with a £324 advertisement in The Times newspaper.

Benedict is believed to have flown to Edinburgh to ask her mother's permission for her daughter's hand in marriage before getting down on one knee.

Traditional: The star chose to announce his betrothal to Sophie with a £324 advertisement in The Times newspaper.  Benedict is believed to have flown to Edinburgh to ask her mother's permission for her daughter's hand in marriage before getting down on one knee

Traditional: The star chose to announce his betrothal to Sophie with a £324 advertisement in The Times newspaper.  Benedict is believed to have flown to Edinburgh to ask her mother's permission for her daughter's hand in marriage before getting down on one knee

Be a lady in red like the beautiful Sophie Hunter

They had only been married a week, but that didn't stop Benedict Cumberbatch and his wife Sophie Hunter turning up to the Oscars in the hope Benedict would be taking home the best actor accolade.

Sadly, it wasn't meant to be for the Imitation Game star, but he took home the real prize, in the form of his wife who looked absolutely stunning on the red carpet.

Despite her growing bump, Sophie didn't play it safe in the sartorial stakes. She rocked a bespoke Lanvin asymmetric dress that featured a cut-away side -- very risque indeed for someone expecting, but it looked fabulous!

She completed the look with a classy updo, a gold cuff, clutch and heels.

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Out and about: Benedict and heavily pregnant Sophie were seen taking a stroll in May 

Out and about: Benedict and heavily pregnant Sophie were seen taking a stroll in May 

The piece in The Times read: 'Mr BT. Cumberbatch and Miss S.I. Hunter: The engagement is announced between Benedict, son of Wanda and Timothy Cumberbatch of London, and Sophie, daughter of Katharine Hunter of Edinburgh and Charles Hunter of London.'

Benedict and Oxford-educated Sophie, first met when starring opposite each other in Burlesque Fairytales in 2009, but only started dating last year.

They were first seen publicly together in June 2014 at the French Open, to the devastation of the actor's fans, who dub themselves 'Cumberbitches'.

Looking ahead: In 2010, Benedict  told the Telegraph 'I am very broody. I have been broody for the last five years because I have two godchildren' 

Looking ahead: In 2010, Benedict  told the Telegraph 'I am very broody. I have been broody for the last five years because I have two godchildren' 

And he hasn't been able to stop himself gushing over Sophie, telling People magazine in November: 'She's proud of my work, she's proud of me, and she loves me. That's the bottom line, isn't it? That's one of the reasons it's a good fit. It could be a really difficult thing, but she's just so in command of it.'

Benedict previously spent 10 years with The Thick Of It star Olivia Poulet, who met while studying at Manchester University, before splitting in 2010.

Since then, the Sherlock star has been linked with several high-profile women, including Star Trek co-star Alice Eve and Lord Of The Rings actress Liv Tyler.

More recently, Benedict has dated furniture designer Anna Jones in 2012, before apparently rekindling an old friendship with Russian model and actress Katia Elizarova in 2013.

Debut outing: Benedict and Sophie were first seen publicly together in June 2014 at the French Open

Debut outing: Benedict and Sophie were first seen publicly together in June 2014 at the French Open

 

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