Hannah Waddingham was seen holding hands with the dashing spine surgeon Nick Beresford-Cleary as they made their entrance at the Cheltenham Festival on Friday.

The duo appeared to be in high spirits, their smiles radiating as they arrived for the festival’s star-studded final day.

This public appearance is a first for Hannah and Nick as a pair. In 2024, Hannah candidly discussed her relationship status, admitting she hadn’t been on a date in years and could barely recall the experience.

However, on Friday, she walked hand-in-hand with the charming surgeon, her face lit up with a broad smile. Despite the public display, she has yet to publicly elaborate on their relationship.

Hannah looked effortlessly stylish in a plaid suit by Holland Cooper, while Nick complemented her in a similarly patterned ensemble.

The event was a magnet for celebrities, with appearances by Tommy Fury, Jodie Kidd, Nick Knowles and his wife Katie Dadzie, Elizabeth Hurley and her son Damian, Georgia Toffolo, Celia Imrie, and Mary Berry.

Hannah Waddingham, 51, held hands with spine surgeon Nick Beresford-Cleary as they arrived at Cheltenham Festival on Friday 

Hannah stepped out hand-in-hand with the handsome surgeon while sporting a huge smile on her face 

Nick is a Consultant Spine Surgeon at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and King Edward VII Hospital, who specialises in both elective and emergency spinal surgeries.

He kickstarted his career in mechanical engineering, followed by a medical degree at Edinburgh University.

The actress and singer had previously been dating Italian businessman Gianluca Cugnetto.

The pair had been together for more than a decade and were even rumoured to be engaged before they split. 

Hannah previously revealed that she’s 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”.

The blonde bombshell was unsure as to why her love life had suddenly dried up but explained she was more easily put off by men now.

She elaborated that she clear deal breakers including bad kissers and a lack of eye contact.

The pair couldn’t wipe the grins off their faces as they arrived for the final day of the star-studded races 

Back in 2024, Hannah opened up about her love life as she confessed that she hasn’t been on a date in years and struggles to even remember what going on is like

Hannah looked incredibly chic in a Holland Cooper plaid suit as she went matching with Nick

Hannah previously revealed that she’s 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

Nick is a Consultant Spine Surgeon at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and King Edward VII Hospital, specialises in both elective and emergency spinal surgeries

Also in attendance on the day were Tommy Fury who posed for a photo with fashion designer Jade Holland Cooper

Jodie Kidd opted for a houndstooth  suit with a matching coat and black shoes 

Joseph Bates, Jodie Kidd, Jade Holland Cooper, Katie Dadzie and Nick Knowles all posed for a snap together 

Celia Imrie wore a dark green coat over a black jacket and matching trousers

Nick Knowles’ wife Katie opted for a grey plaid suit along with a black top and matching boots 

Harry Redknapp attended the races alongside his wife Sandra 

Gemma Owen wrapped up in a burgundy coat which she paired with a matching silk shirt and black trousers 

Jeremy Clarkson arrived at the races arm-in-arm with his longterm partner Lisa Hogan

Zara Tindall attended the races with her husband Mike and her brother Peter and his fiancée Harriet Sperling

Elizabeth Hurley cut a glamorous figur in a black and white floral print coat as she attended the festival alongside her son Damian

It was a family day out for Mary Berry, left, who attended with her daughter Belles

Celia Imrie and Mary Berry watched the first race together 

Hannah also revealed she had previously ruled out a potential date because of his sweaty palms and admitted she is ‘basic’ when it comes down to what turns her off.

Although she has never been married, the star explained she has previously been engaged to a mystery man, thought to be Gianluca, but ditched the wedding plans after being disappointed by ‘bland’ wedding dresses that didn’t cater to her curves

She said: ‘I think it’s why I’ve never got married because I was engaged once, and I put on all these wedding dresses and I was like, “Oh, this is pedestrian”. I mean, it was so bland.

Hannah has an eight-year-old daughter Kitty, who she shares with Italian hotelier Gianluca.

Their last red carpet appearance was at The Olivier Awards in London in April 2022, and while Hannah has never spoken out about the break up, in 2023 she referred to herself as a single mother in an interview.

In May it was believed that the star was staying very much single but she sparked rumours when she posted a gushing tribute to her close friend Nick Todisco on social media, calling him ‘my beautiful (and I mean crrraaaazy beautiful, inside and out) devoted champion, protector and partner in crime.’

At the end of 2022 she was reported to have gone for a couple of dinners with musical tenor Alfie Boe, and they were reportedly having a romance when they were together for last May’s Eurovision Song Contest, which Hannah hosted.

But the relationship fizzled out later in the summer.