Hannah Waddingham made her red carpet debut with Nick Beresford-Cleary at the Variety Power of Women event in London on Wednesday. The Ted Lasso star, 51, showcased her hourglass figure as she went braless in a plunging halterneck gown that also featured a daring thigh-high split.
Public Appearance and Romance
Hannah looked smitten with the spine surgeon as they posed for photographs, weeks after the actress confirmed she was in a relationship. Although Hannah has not named her new boyfriend publicly, she fuelled romance rumours back in March when she was pictured with Nick at the Cheltenham Festival.
Last month, Hannah let slip details about her love life in her cover story interview with Women's Health UK, giggling that her new man is "very good looking" and "really lovely."
Hannah's Journey to New Love
Hannah became a single mother after her relationship with partner Gianluca Cugnetto broke down when their daughter was two. Since then, she has remained focused on her life with Kitty, now 11. "It's taken me eight years," Hannah admitted to the magazine when asked about entering a new relationship. "I didn't really have the space mentally or emotionally for that. I've hunkered down and focused on my girl and me. [But] now I'm ready to stick my head above the parapet a bit more."
When asked if "it's a very good-looking parapet," Hannah laughed and confirmed "it is!" She added, "And it's really lovely too, obviously, my relationship. But the best thing about it is, firstly, being happy and strong in myself."
Nick Beresford-Cleary: The Spine Surgeon
Nick is a Consultant Spine Surgeon at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and King Edward VII Hospital, specialising in both elective and emergency spinal surgeries. He began his career in mechanical engineering before pursuing a medical degree at Edinburgh University.
Hannah's Career and Motherhood
Hannah has previously explained how she manifested her role in Ted Lasso after finding herself a single mother to her daughter. The actress had been with the father of her daughter for over a decade, and they were rumoured to be engaged before their split.
"In that moment, your career could falter because you're left holding the baby," Hannah admitted of how single parenthood affected her. "[But] I found in myself a strength. I thought, 'No, I'm not going to sit in the corner with a duvet over my head and think, oh, poor me.' I'm going to come out fighting because I know that I have so much to give in my career…"
She continued, "I talk about [single motherhood] all the time because it's not the same as two parents. I know that sounds ridiculous and obvious, but I think people forget it. People go, 'Oh yes, I'm by myself most of the time.' But that's not the same as being sole provider. She is undoubtedly my greatest achievement because of that."
The actress was left terrified eight years ago when her daughter, then three years old, suddenly fell ill and was hospitalised with an auto-immune disorder called Henoch-Schönlein purpura. This diagnosis led Hannah to take a step back from acting, particularly roles that took her far from home. Around that time, she said she manifested the Ted Lasso role, asking the universe for a job that would challenge her as an actress but most importantly be close to her and Kitty's London home. Two months later, she had her first meeting for the part of Rebecca, which ended up being filmed just half an hour from her home.
Hannah's Dating Criteria
Hannah previously revealed that she is too busy and too picky to start dating again but added that if she were to get back on the dating market, she would have strict criteria. She told Michelle Visage on the Rule Breakers podcast: "I'm a pretty picky girl really and have such a very specific kind of criteria of things. One of the main things with guys, just come on man, positivity - positivity and charisma and I'm your gal. But there's an awful lot of misogs (miserable old gits) out there. I don't need it."
She added: "I don't go much on stereotypical cutey pie, whatever, sexy, whatever. I want a guy that scoops me up and goes 'I've got you, I don't care if you've got your make-up on or not, I'm happy to lie in bed with you and have Marmite on toast and a glass of milk.' And just be a lovely positive, charismatic soul. I'm 50 and I'm like, 'Dude, if you are not going to step up, step off and be gone. Sod off until someone fabulous comes along.'" She elaborated that she has clear deal breakers, including bad kissers and a lack of eye contact.
