Rachael Stirling and her husband Guy Garvey have opened up about their romance, revealing their love story began thanks to two A-list actors.
The actress, 46, and the Elbow frontman, 50, married at Manchester Town Hall in June 2016 after a year of dating, and later welcomed their son, Jack, six.
Talk to Sunday timethe couple revealed they connected when they first met, with Rachael admitting she was “star-struck” and Guy saying he “was instantly attracted to her”.
They met at a wedding in 2015, with Guy revealing it was the nuptials of none other than Benedict Cumberbatch and his wife Sophie Hunter.
Guy explained that he had been friends with the Oscar-nominated actor for four years at the time and that he and Rachael were both hoping to meet someone at the wedding.
Rachael Stirling and her husband Guy Garvey have opened up about their romance, revealing their love story began thanks to two A-list actors (pictured together in 2021)
The actress, 46, and the Elbow frontman, 50, married at Manchester Town Hall in June 2016 after a year of dating, and later welcomed their son, Jack, six (pictured 2017).
Speaking to the Sunday Times, the couple revealed they connected when they first met, with Rachael admitting she was “star-struck” and Guy saying he “was instantly attracted to her » (photo from November).
He recalled that Benedict’s Sherlock co-star and Rachael’s friend Andrew Scott helped him and Rachael become closer, so the two now call her Cilla Black, according to the legendary host of Blind Date.
He said: “Rachael was friends with actor Andrew Scott, who was also at the wedding, and when I went outside for a smoke it was Andrew who encouraged her to follow me. We still call her our Cilla Black.
Speaking about the meeting, Rachael added: “He was this tall, tall, handsome, hairy, romantic Northern word lover, a poet, and I might have been slightly too refreshed.
“I got my heel stuck on a ledge outside, and as I fell backwards, Guy gently but firmly pulled me up, all without interrupting his anecdote.”
Rachael also spoke about Guy’s relationship with his late mother, legendary actress Diana Rigg.
The James Bond and Game of Thrones star tragically died of cancer in 2020 at the age of 82.
She described the bond her mother and her husband shared, especially before her death, which Guy called “such a special moment.”
Rachael said: “Guy was very close to my mother. When we brought her home to die in 2020, he was so generous and welcoming, and I think my mom fell a little in love with him.
They met at a wedding in 2015, with Guy revealing it was the nuptials of none other than Benedict Cumberbatch and his wife Sophie Hunter (pictured in 2022)
He recalled that Benedict’s Sherlock co-star and Rachael’s friend Andrew Scott (pictured in November) helped bring him and Rachael together, so the couple now call her Cilla Black.
“When the first lockdown was lifted and he was able to return to his studio, she loved the idea of him going off to create. He would come into her room to say goodbye to her every morning and she would say to him, “I wrap you in the mantle of inspiration.” May the gods of poetry visit you.
“She did this every day until she got weaker and weaker, and at the end she would just move her hands slowly and say, ‘Cloakie cloakie.’ » So that’s what Guy’s home studio is called: Cloakie Cloakie.
Guy added: “Rachael’s mum was amazing. It was a privilege to share the last month of his life. We bonded over words and poetry, through a love of the same songwriters.
“Rachael was running around balancing the meds for her while I was having all this lovely conversation. It was such a special time.
Rachael also spoke about Guy’s relationship with his late mother, legendary actress Diana Rigg (pictured together in 2017).
The James Bond and Game of Thrones star tragically died of cancer in 2020 at the age of 82, and Guy described the “special time” they had together (Rachael and Diana in 2014)