Hugh Bonneville’s new flame Claire Rankin reportedly liked 25 of his Instagram photos five years before he split from wife Lulu Williams.
The Downton Abbey star, 60, who split from his wife of 25 years last September, was spotted for the first time with Canadian actress Claire, 53, earlier this week after they reportedly enjoyed a string of dates.
But now according to The sun Claire had poured over a number of the actor’s photos long before his split.
The publication reports that she started liking the photos shortly after her ex-husband and Hugh’s former co-star Josh Randall married The Inbetweeners star Kacey Clarke in 2018.
Claire, who divorced the actor in 2011 after 11 years of marriage, is said to have given the thumbs up to pictures of Hugh rehearsing for the 2019 Shadowlands play as well as his TV appearance alongside Kermit The Frog and Miss Piggy at the King’s 2023 Coronation.
Hugh Bonneville’s new flame Claire Rankin reportedly liked 25 of his Instagram photos five years before he split from wife Lulu Williams (Claire and Hugh pictured earlier this week)
The Downton Abbey star split from his wife of 25 years last September (pictured together in 2022)
Liked 19 of his online posts in 2019 alone.
MailOnline has contacted Hugh and Claire’s representatives for comment.
When they were spotted together this week, an onlooker said the new couple ‘looked happy together’ as they linked arms as they left a luxury restaurant.
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.
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Hugh Bonneville for comment.
The pair were spotted for the first time with Canadian actress Claire earlier this week after reportedly enjoying a string of dates
Claireis said to have given the thumbs up to pictures of Hugh rehearsing for Shadowlands as well as his TV appearance alongside Kermit The Frog and Miss Piggy at the King’s Coronation in 2023
According to reports, she started liking the photos shortly after her ex-husband and Hugh’s former co-star Josh Randall (pictured together) married The Inbetweeners star Kacey Clarke in 2018
Josh and Hugh appeared together in the US sitcom Courting Alex almost 20 years ago
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.’
Hugh recently delivered a reading to the young winners of a BBC writing competition with Claire in the audience
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 heartbreak came just five years after the couple renewed their vows at Graceland Chapel in Las Vegas.
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.
