Hugh Bonneville starred alongside his comedian girlfriend’s now-ex on US sitcom Courting Alex nearly 20 years before the pair ‘went on a string of dates’ after he split from his wife
Almost twenty years ago, Hugh Bonneville starred with the now ex-husband of his new girlfriend in an American sitcom.
The 60-year-old Downton Abbey star has reportedly wooed Canadian actress Claire Rankin in a “series of dates” at his London flat and the luxurious Broadwick Soho Hotel, months after splitting from wife Lulu Williams.
Claire was previously married to Scrubs actor Josh Randall, who appeared alongside Hugh almost two decades ago in the short-lived 2006 US sitcom Courting Alex.
Hugh played the role of British neighbor Julian, who gives love advice to Alex (Jenna Elfman) while he is secretly in love with her. Josh played Alex’s lover Scott.
Claire married Josh in 2000 until the actor filed for divorce in 2012 due to ‘irreconcilable differences’, the American gossip site TMZ reported. The couple had no children together.
Hugh Bonneville, 60, (pictured right in 2006) almost twenty years ago starred with his new girlfriend’s now ex-husband Josh Randall (left) in the American sitcom Courting Alex
The Downton Abbey star reportedly spent time with Claire Rankin, 53, (pictured) at his London flat, as well as an evening at the luxurious Broadwick Soho Hotel
According to The Sun, Hugh took Claire to an event at Buckingham Palace where she met Queen Camilla, as well as dinner with his Downton co-stars.
An onlooker who saw the pair walking through central London said: ‘Hugh and Claire looked so happy together, they couldn’t stop smiling.
“They seemed like any other couple and seemed to really enjoy each other’s company.”
Hugh recently gave a talk to the young winners of a BBC writing competition with Claire in the audience.
On Wednesday they are said to have enjoyed dinner with Hugh’s Downton co-star Michelle Dockery.
On Friday, Claire shared a photo she took at the airport as she prepared to return to Canada.
The actress, who hails from Prince Edward Island, began acting in Shakespeare plays in the 1990s, appearing in shows like Ally McBeal, Without A Trace and House.
A spokesperson for Hugh confirmed in September that he and his ex Lulu, who lived together in their West Sussex home for 25 years, were ending their marriage.
However, it seems that the divorce did not go smoothly. A source revealed: ‘It’s clear Lulu feels like 20 years of marriage counts for nothing.’
Claire was previously married to Scrubs actor Josh (pictured together in 2001). Josh filed for divorce in 2012
A spokesperson for Hugh confirmed in September that he and his ex Lulu, who lived together in their West Sussex home for 25 years, had ended their marriage.
Claire shared photos from her recent trip to London to her Instagram account, but Hugh isn’t in them
Hugh also took the actress to an event at Buckingham Palace, where she met Queen Camilla
Lulu often accompanied her husband to premieres and movie sets and her recent absence led to rumors that the couple was having problems.
The actor, famous for his role as Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, had never shied away from expressing his love for Lulu, having previously called her his ‘base’ and ‘anchor’ and praised his wife as the backbone of their household.
A source told The Sun: ‘Hugh has been away from home a lot this year filming. He lost some weight this summer, he looked neat, tanned and relaxed.’
The heartbreak came just five years after the couple renewed their vows at Graceland Chapel in Las Vegas.