London-born actor Benedict Cumberbatch and his wife Sophie Hunter are now the proud parents of a baby boy, the BBC reported earlier today (Saturday 13 June).

Benedict Cumberbatch at the Bafta Nominations AwardsBenedict Cumberbatch is celebrating parenthood

In a statement, a spokesman for the 'Sherlock' star said: "Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter are delighted to announce the arrival of their beautiful son.

"We would kindly ask everyone to respect the family's privacy during these next few precious weeks."

Benedict and theatre director Sophie first met when they appeared together in the thriller Burlesque Fairytales back in 2009. Rarely photographed together before their engagement, the pair have largely kept their relationship out of the spotlight. They announced they were starting a family in January, before tying the knot in a private ceremony on the Isle of Wight off the south coast of England on Valentine's Day.

Sophie Hunter and Benedict Cumberbatch at the 2015 Vanity Fair Oscar PartyProud parents Sophie Hunter and Benedict Cumberbatch

New father Benedict has more than one reason to celebrate this week: the 38-year-old actor has been named a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List, for his services to charity and the performing arts. He was among several recipients to be leaked ahead of the official announcement.

More: The full story on Benedict Cumberbatch's CBE

The 38-year-old star received an Oscar nomination this year for his performance as mathematician Alan Turing in The Imitation Game. His other credits include the character Khan in Star Trek Into Darkness, and Necromancer in the Hobbit trilogy. He has also been cast in the lead role in Marvel's Doctor Strange, which is expected to hit cinemas in October 2016. 

More: Tilda Swinton to star alongside Cumberbatch in Doctor Strange?

Cumberbatch will also play Shere Khan in the fantasy adventure Jungle Book: Origins, directed by motion-capture favourite Andy Serkis. But you'll have to wait until late 2017 for that one.