Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter

Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter

Benedict Cumberbatch is set to become a father for the first time, as his fiancee is pregnant.

Cumberbatch and Sophie hunter announced their engagement at the end of 2014, and now there is further joy for the couple as they are set to become parents later this year. A source has suggested that they may tie the knot earlier as a result.

A source told the New York Post newspaper's Page Six column: "Sophie is a few months along, and both she and Benedict are very excited about it. They are also quietly planning to marry in early spring."

The couple were spotted at the Palm Springs International Film Festival last weekend and 36-year-old Sophie was able to hide her changing frame in a flowing Just Cavalli maxidress and a cleverly-placed bag.

Benedict recently insisted he isn't ready to start planning his wedding yet because he is working hard on drama series 'Sherlock'.

When asked if he had started making preparations for his big day, he said: "One thing at a time. "I'm playing Sherlock now - just about to start - so my main focus is going to be on that."

The 38-year-old star also admitted that announcing his engagement to the brunette beauty was the "most important news" of his life.

He previously said: "I've had the most important news of my life.

"That's also sort of private, I don't want to talk about that too much. But my engagement to the woman I love is obviously the most important thing of 2014 for me."