Hugh Bonneville has reportedly signed up to Raya, after his shock split from wife Lulu Williams.
A spokesperson for the Downton Abbey star, 60, confirmed in September that he and his ex Lulu, who lived together for 25 years at their home in West Sussex, ended their marriage.
And it seems that Hugh is hoping to move on, as it has been reported the actor has created a profile on celebrity dating app Raya.
Raya is a private membership community that started out as a dating app, but has since become a platform for networking and social discovery.
It was launched in 2015 and costs £5.99 per month, but in order to join, you must fill out an application, have an impressive social media presence and referrals from existing members.
Hugh Bonneville has reportedly signed up to Raya, after his shock split from wife Lulu Williams
Despite Raya being a dating app, Hugh’s profile says he is ‘just looking for friends’ which could be down to Hugh being linked to new love interest Claire Rankin
According to The Sun, Hugh has verified his account by connecting it to his Instagram page, which has 177,000 followers.
But despite Raya being a dating app, Hugh’s profile says he is ‘just looking for friends’.
This could be down to Hugh being linked to new love interest Claire Rankin.
Hugh put on a cosy display with the Canadian comedy star as they strolled arm-in-am after enjoying a dinner date in Soho.
One onlooker who spotted the pair said they ‘looked so happy’ and like ‘any other couple’ – despite Hugh only parting ways with his wife a few months ago.
‘Hugh and Claire looked so happy together, they couldn’t stop smiling,’ the onlooker told The Sun.
‘They looked like any other couple and seemed to be really enjoying each other’s company.’
Hugh reportedly also took the actress to an event at Buckingham Palace where she met Queen Camilla as well as dinner with his Downton co-stars.
Claire was previously married to the actor Josh Randall who appeared alongside Hugh in US sitcom Courting Alex nearly 20 years ago.
Claire has shared snaps of her recent trip to London on her Instagram account, however Hugh has not been featured in them.
A spokesperson for the Downton Abbey star, 60, confirmed in September that he and his ex Lulu, who lived together for 25 years at their home in West Sussex, ended their marriage
According to The Sun , Hugh has verified his account by connecting it to his Instagram page, which has 177,000 followers
Hugh recently delivered a reading to the young winners of a BBC writing competition with Claire in the audience.
On Wednesday, they were said to have enjoyed dinner with Hugh’s Downton co-star Michelle Dockery.
On Friday, Claire shared a photo taken at the airport as she prepared to return to Canada.
The actress, from Prince Edward Island, began acting in Shakespeare plays in the 90s and appeared on shows including Ally McBeal, Without A Trace and House.
MailOnline has contacted representatives of Hugh Bonneville for comment.
A spokesperson for Hugh confirmed in September that he and his ex Lulu, who lived together for 25 years at their home in West Sussex , ended their marriage.
However, it seems the split has not been smooth sailing, with a source revealing: ‘It is clear that Lulu feels as if 20-odd years of marriage counts for nothing.’
Lulu often accompanied her husband to premieres and film sets and her recent absence sparked rumours the pair were having troubles.
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 ‘bedrock’ and ‘anchor’ and crediting his wife for being the backbone of their household.
A source told The Sun: ‘Hugh has been away from home filming a lot this year. He has lost a bit of weight this summer, he was looking trim, tanned and relaxed.’
The heartbreak came just five years after the couple renewed their vows at Graceland chapel in Las Vegas.
Hugh has reportedly been spending time with Canadian comedy star Claire Rankin (pictured)
Claire was previously married to the actor Josh Randall (pictured together in 2001)
Josh and Hugh appeared together in US sitcom Courting Alex nearly 20 years ago
The pair met as teens but reconnected later in life and got together in their 30s, thanks in no small part to Hugh’s mother Patricia.
Hugh has said: ‘Lulu was running a marquee company… my mother rang her to hire some chairs or something and said, ”Do you remember Hugh?”
‘It did infuriate me that I had to give full credit to my mum for reintroducing us.’
The former couple later tied the knot in November 1998.
In previous interviews Bonneville claimed he was ‘completely indebted’ to his wife for the way she supported him throughout his career while looking after their son Felix, 20, who himself has enjoyed success on the screen.
‘Lulu’s priority has been to be a bedrock for Felix and me and I’m completely indebted to her,’ he said.
