Hugh Bonneville ‘looked so happy’ with Canadian comedy star Claire Rankin after going on a string of dates with her following his split from Lulu Williams.
The Downton Abbey star, 60, was seen strolling arm-in-arm with Claire, 53, in Soho after spending time with her at his London flat and at the luxury Broadwick Soho Hotel.
An onlooker who saw the pair said they ‘looked so happy’ and like ‘any other couple’ – despite Bonneville only splitting from his wife a few months ago.
“Hugh and Claire looked so happy together they couldn’t stop smiling,” the onlooker told The Sun.
‘They looked like any other couple and seemed to really enjoy each other’s company.’
Hugh Bonneville has been on a string of dates with Canadian actress Claire Rankin just months after his split from wife Lulu Williams (pictured with Lulu in 2019)
Bonneville reportedly spent time with Canadian comedy star Claire Rankin (pictured)
Hugh also reportedly took the actress to an event at Buckingham Palace where she met Queen Camilla as well as dinner with his Downton co-stars.
Claire was previously married to actor Josh Randall, who appeared alongside Hugh in US sitcom Courting Alex almost 20 years ago.
Claire has been sharing snaps of her latest trip to London on her Instagram account, but Hugh hasn’t featured in them.
Hugh recently delivered a reading to the young winners of a BBC writing competition with Claire in the audience.
On Wednesday, they were said to have enjoyed dinner with Hugh’s Downton co-star Michelle Dockery.
On Friday, Claire shared a photo taken at the airport as she prepared to return to Canada.
The Prince Edward Island actress began appearing in Shakespeare plays in the 90s, appearing in shows including Ally McBeal, Without A Trace and House.
Claire has been sharing snaps of her latest trip to London on her Instagram account, but Hugh hasn’t featured in them
Hugh also took the actress to an event at Buckingham Palace where she met Queen Camilla
Claire was previously married to actor Josh Randall (pictured together in 2001)
Josh and Hugh appeared together in the US sitcom Courting Alex almost 20 years ago
Hugh recently delivered a reading to the young winners of a BBC writing competition with Claire in the audience
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Hugh Bonneville for comment.
A spokesman for Hugh confirmed in September that he and his ex Lulu, who lived together for 25 years at their home in West Sussex, had ended their marriage.
However, it seems the split hasn’t been smooth sailing, with a source revealing: ‘It’s clear Lulu feels 20 years of marriage count for nothing.’
Lulu often accompanied her husband to premieres and film sets, and her recent absence sparked rumors that the couple were having problems.
The actor, famous for his role as Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, had never shied away from expressing his love for Lulu, having previously called her his ‘bedrock’ and ‘anchor’ and credited his wife for being the backbone in their household.
A source told The Sun: ‘Hugh has been away from home filming a lot this year. He’s lost a bit of weight this summer, he looked sad, tanned and relaxed.’
The heartbreak came just five years after the couple renewed their vows at Graceland Chapel in Las Vegas.
A spokesman for Hugh confirmed in September that he and his ex Lulu, who lived together for 25 years at their West Sussex home, had ended their marriage (pictured together in 2017)
The couple met as teenagers but reunited later in life, dating in their 30s, thanks in no small part to Hugh’s mother Patricia.
Hugh has said: ‘Lulu ran a tent company… my mum called her to hire some chairs or something and said, “Remember Hugh?”
‘It infuriated me that I had to give my mum full credit for reintroducing us.’
The former couple later tied the knot in November 1998.
In previous interviews, Bonneville claimed he was ‘completely indebted’ to his wife for the way she supported him throughout his career while looking after their son Felix, 20, who has been successful on screen himself.
“Lulu’s priority has been to be a foundation for Felix and me and I am totally in her debt,” he said.