Hannah Waddingham Sparks Romance Rumours with Nick Beresford Cleary at Cheltenham Festival

There was plenty to watch on the racecourse during the final day of the famous Cheltenham Festival — but many eyes were drawn away from the horses and toward actress Hannah Waddingham.

The 51-year-old star arrived at the event alongside a striking companion, spine surgeon Nick Beresford-Cleary.

The pair appeared relaxed and cheerful as they walked into the venue together, even sporting matching tweed outfits that made them look very much in sync.

Observers quickly noticed the affectionate moments between them.

At one point, Hannah gently held Nick’s face while the two shared a laugh, suggesting a comfortable closeness that immediately sparked curiosity about their relationship.

A Stylish Day Out Among Celebrities

Cheltenham’s final race day is always packed with high-profile guests, and this year was no exception.

Among those spotted enjoying the races were boxer Tommy Fury, model and TV personality Jodie Kidd, television presenter Nick Knowles with his wife Katie Dadzie, actress Elizabeth Hurley alongside her son Damian Hurley, reality star Georgia Toffolo, veteran actress Celia Imrie and beloved TV cook Mary Berry.

Hannah herself turned heads in a tailored plaid suit from Holland Cooper, a label known for its classic British countryside aesthetic.

Nick matched the theme perfectly with a similar tweed look, making the pair one of the most stylish duos in the stands.

Who Is Nick Beresford-Cleary?

While Hannah is used to life in the spotlight, her companion comes from a very different world.

Nick Beresford-Cleary works as a consultant spine surgeon with Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and also practices at King Edward VII Hospital in London.

His work focuses on both planned spinal operations and emergency procedures.

Interestingly, medicine wasn’t his first academic path.

He initially studied mechanical engineering before pivoting into healthcare, eventually earning his medical degree at the University of Edinburgh.

That unusual journey from engineering to surgery has made him somewhat distinctive within the medical field.

A Love Life That Has Stayed Largely Private

For fans who follow Hannah’s career, the sight of her walking hand-in-hand with someone new was particularly notable.

The actress, who became globally recognized through roles such as Rebecca Welton in Ted Lasso, has been fairly open about the fact that dating hasn’t been a major focus in recent years.

Back in 2024, she admitted during a conversation with Michelle Visage on the Rule Breakers podcast that she hadn’t been on a proper date for quite some time and could barely remember what the experience felt like.

Her Long Relationship With Gianluca Cugnetto

Before this recent sighting, Hannah’s longest known relationship was with Italian hotelier Gianluca Cugnetto.

The couple spent more than a decade together and were even rumored to be engaged at one stage.

Despite that long partnership, the relationship eventually ended, and Hannah has rarely spoken publicly about the breakup.

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They share a daughter named Kitty, and Hannah has previously described herself as a single mother following their split.

Their last major public appearance together reportedly took place at the Laurence Olivier Awards in London in 2022.

What Hannah Looks For in a Partner

In past interviews, Hannah has been refreshingly honest about her dating standards.

She has joked that she is “very picky” and has a surprisingly specific checklist when it comes to potential partners.

According to the actress, positivity and charisma top that list — traits she says are far more important than conventional attractiveness.

At the same time, she admits to having a few deal breakers.

Lack of eye contact, bad kissing, or even small habits like sweaty palms have been enough to end potential romances before they began.

Rumours and Friendships Over the Years

Like many public figures, Hannah’s personal life has occasionally sparked speculation.

At one point, she shared a heartfelt social media message praising close friend Nick Todisco, calling him a devoted supporter and “partner in crime,” which briefly triggered dating rumours.

Later, reports suggested she had enjoyed a few dinners with celebrated tenor Alfie Boe.

The pair were seen spending time together during the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, which Hannah co-hosted.

However, any romance appeared short-lived and quietly faded later that summer.

Impact and Consequences

Hannah’s appearance with Nick Beresford-Cleary instantly set social media buzzing.

For a star who has long kept her romantic life out of the spotlight, even a brief public outing like this can trigger widespread interest.

Moments like these also illustrate how public events such as Cheltenham often double as informal celebrity showcases.

A simple day at the races can quickly become headline news when two well-known figures are spotted together.

For Hannah personally, the moment may also signal a shift in how openly she shares her personal life — something fans have been curious about for years.

What’s Next?

For now, neither Hannah nor Nick has publicly explained the nature of their relationship.

That leaves plenty of room for speculation.

If the pair continue to appear together at events, the picture may become clearer.

But Hannah has historically been cautious about discussing her private life, so fans might have to wait for any official confirmation.

In the meantime, her busy career continues.

Following her award-winning work on Ted Lasso, she remains one of Britain’s most sought-after actresses in television, film, and theatre.

Summary

A casual outing at the Cheltenham Festival has unexpectedly turned into one of the entertainment world’s most talked-about sightings.

Hannah Waddingham’s affectionate appearance with surgeon Nick Beresford-Cleary has sparked curiosity about whether the actress may finally be stepping back into the dating world after years of focusing on work and family.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Hannah Waddingham attended the Cheltenham Festival with spine surgeon Nick Beresford-Cleary.

• The pair wore matching tweed outfits and appeared affectionate during the event.

• Nick works as a consultant surgeon at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and King Edward VII Hospital.

• Hannah previously dated Italian hotelier Gianluca Cugnetto, with whom she shares a daughter.

• She has openly discussed being selective about dating and prioritizing positivity and charisma in a partner.

• Past rumours have linked her to figures such as Alfie Boe, though none developed into long-term relationships.

• The Cheltenham appearance has sparked fresh speculation about her current love life.