Benedict Cumberbatch is Engaged, Says This Newspaper Classified

New Delhi:

Hear that? It's the sound of a million female hearts shattering across the TV-watching world. All because of this announcement in British newspaper The Times:
 

This image was posted on Twitter by Daily Express

Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch, 38, is engaged to theatre director girlfriend Sophie Hunter. No wedding date was mentioned in the newspaper announcement.

The British actor has played Sherlock Holmes in three hit seasons of the TV series that puts a contemporary spin on author Arthur Conan Doyle's maverick detective. Season four of the series will begin filming in January.

Benedict has also starred in films such as Star Trek Into Darkness, The Hobbit trilogy and The Fifth Estate.

News of the engagement has not been happily received by many female fans, to put it mildly. Twitter has been flooded with comments such as these:

 

Benedict Cumberbatch Engaged? ........(pause) NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO *roll and cry*

— Shaffy (@ShaffyAzli) November 5, 2014

If this news is correct I am unaccountably sad about it! Which is ridiculous for a 40-year-old woman! #BenedictCumberbatch#engaged

— Caroline (@lovelycaz74) November 5, 2014

Benedict Cumberbatch is engaged that's my life officially over

— Niamh (@niaamh_1) November 5, 2014

Apparently Benedict Cumberbatch is engaged. Much to my surprise, it isn't to me.

— Bernadette Anvia (@BAnvia) November 5, 2014

There has been no official confirmation from Benedict himself or his representatives yet.