DOWNTON star Hugh Bonneville has been on a string of dates with the actress.
Hugh, 60, and divorcee Claire Rankin, 53, spent time at his London flat a few months after he split from wife Lulu Williams.
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Hugh Bonneville and actress Claire Rankin spend time at his apartment in LondonCredit: nc
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The couple has been seen enjoying a series of datesCredit: nc
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Hugh split from wife of 25 years Lucinda ‘Lulu’ Williams last July Credit: Getty
He also took her to a party at Buckingham Palace to meet Queen Camilla and to dinner with one of her Downton Abbey co-stars.
The Canadian actress was previously married to Josh Randall, who appeared alongside Hugh almost 20 years ago in the American sitcom about one woman’s complicated love life.
Claire was recently in the UK, where she visited Hugh at his flat in London.
She has posted pictures with friends on her Instagram, but there are none with Hugh.
And last month the father-of-one took her to a star-studded event hosted by Camilla.
Hugh, who split from wife of 25 years Lucinda “Lulu” Williams last July, read to the young winners of the BBC’s writing competition, with Claire watching in the audience.
Then on Wednesday, the couple enjoyed dinner with Hugh’s Downton Abbey co-star Michelle Dockery.
An onlooker who saw the pair walking hand-in-hand through central London’s Soho said: “Hugh and Claire looked so happy together they couldn’t stop laughing.
“They looked like any other couple and seemed to really enjoy each other’s company.”
Hugh wore a purple velvet suit and Claire was seen in a smart coat and black trousers for their night out at the luxury Broadwick Soho Hotel.
Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville splits from wife of 25 years – after previously calling her his ‘rock’ and ‘anchor’
Film star Michelle, 42, and husband Jasper Waller-Bridge, 35, brother of Fleabag creator Phoebe, were among the guests who enjoyed dinner and drinks.
They chose from a menu that included dishes such as seared yellowfin tuna at £34 and Hereford beef at £52.
Claire shared the picture the next day and said she had spent the night with “11 wonderful companions”, adding: “My lucky girl.”
She also name-checked the English sparkling wine company Hugh had invested in, discovering that their meal was washed down with a fancy tipple.
Claire currently stars in the Canadian comedy series Son of a Critch.
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Hugh took Claire to a party at Buckingham Palace to meet Queen CamillaCredit: BBC
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The actress posted a snap of her invitation to the final of BBC’s 500 Words at Buckingham PalaceCredit: nc
The actress, also known for her role in the US sci-fi hit Stargate Atlantis, released a video of her invitation to the final of the BBC’s 500 Words at Buckingham Palace, Britain’s most famous children’s writing competition.
Claire, also a professional dancer, was taken last week to the world-famous club Garrick, of which father-of-one Hugh is a member.
She published a photo from one of his prestigious rooms and wrote: “Sneaky shot”.
The actress, who like Hugh appeared in a number of Shakespeare plays in the 90s, was also in the theater.
But she flew back to Canada from Heathrow Airport on Friday – ending her stay in the UK.
Yesterday, she posted a picture of herself smiling in a selfie with the television star and wrote: “Until we meet again.”
SHOCK SEPARATION
But she later deleted the image after The Sun contacted Hugh’s representatives on Sunday.
Claire was married to Scrubs star Josh, 52, for 11 years before he filed for divorce in 2012.
Last October, the Sun broke the news of Hugh’s shock split from wife Lulu, 55, on Sunday.
The couple married in 1998 and renewed their vows in Las Vegas five years ago.
It’s clear that Lulu, who spent years with Hugh on film sets, was heartbroken by the split.
A source said at the time: “He sat Lulu down one night and said it was over.
“It came completely out of the blue.”
Hugh praised the key role Lulu played in running their household and looking after their son Felix, now 20, while he starred in films and TV series. He said:
One evening he sat Lulu down and said it was over.
“Lulu’s priority was to be a support for Felix and me, and I am completely indebted to her.”
In 2009, Hugh admitted that Lulu motivated him to lose weight when she said he was “as fat as a pig”.
To get back in shape, he hired personal trainers who put him on a strict diet and fitness regimen that led to a 16lb weight loss.
He said, “I’m often the guy who doesn’t get the girl.”
The couple would walk their Tibetan terriers, Teddy and Sasha, on the South Downs and spend weekends at their home in West Sussex entertaining friends with karaoke.
Hugh was among the wedding guests when Downton Abbey star Michelle got engaged last September, along with a group of co-stars including Joanne Froggatt.
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Hugh is best known since 2010 as Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham in Downton Abbey Credit: ITV
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The Canadian was previously married to Josh Randall Credit: Getty
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Josh Randall appeared opposite Hugh Bonneville in the LA comedy Courting Alex in 2006. Credit: Getty
He was photographed without a ring – and he did not bring his partner. Hugh began his career in theater and film in the 1990s, but since 2010 he is best known as Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham in Downton Abbey.
He received a Golden Globe nomination and two Emmys for his performance, and reprized the role in two film spin-offs.
Hugh also plays Henry Brown in the Paddington film franchise and is set to appear in the third installment, Paddington in Peru, which began production last year. However, it was held up by the actors’ strikes.
He also hosted the King’s coronation concert last year in Windsor.
A representative for Hugh did not respond to a request for comment.
HE ACTED WITH HER EX
HUGH Bonneville appeared opposite Claire Rankin’s ex-husband Josh Randall in the LA comedy Courting Alex in 2006.
Hugh played British neighbor Julian who gives Alex (Jenna Elfman) love advice while secretly in love with her. Josh played Alexa’s lover Scott in the sitcom, which was canceled after 12 episodes.
At the time, Josh was still married to Claire. They separated in 2011
The California-born actor was recently in Netflix’s Ozark and the sci-fi Westworld.
He also played Dr. Mike Burton in the comedy-drama Ed and was Jake in the medical sitcom Scrubs.
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