Benedict Cumberbatch to marry fiancée Sophie Hunter in secret ceremony this weekend

The couple, who have known each other for five years, will tie the knot in a private ceremony in the south of England.

They revealed their engagement in a small notice in the Times newspaper last November.

Sophie, 36, first met Benedict, who plays Sherlock Holmes in the hit BBC series, when they appeared together in the 2009 film Burlesque Fairytales.

Last month, the couple revealed they are expecting their first child together.

A spokesperson for Benedict confirmed to MailOnline: "I am delighted to confirm that Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter are expecting their first child. They are both over the moon."

It was previously reported that the 38-year-old Imitation Game star, planned to marry theatre director Sophie before she gave birth.

Speaking in January, a source told The Sunday Mirror: "The invitations have gone out already, which is very quick. 

"It's shocked a few people but they want their special day to happen before they have the baby.

"The details have been sent out in an email rather than a paper invitation as time is of the essence.

The invitations are said to be restricted to family and close friends, all of whom have been sworn to secrecy about the location of the ceremony.

The source added: "They're planning the perfect day. Life couldn't be much better for them at the moment."

Meanwhile, Benedict has been shortlisted for an Oscar for his role as mathematician and Second World War codebreaker Alan Turing in The Imitation Game.