“A VERY CLOSE MOMENT IN PUBLIC…” — Hannah Waddingham, was seen sharing an affectionate moment with a handsome spine surgeon at the Cheltenham Festival — arriving in matching plaid jackets and instantly sparking curiosity about their close bond.

Hannah Waddingham cosied up to a handsome spine surgeon and cupped his face with her hand as they attended Cheltenham Festival.

The pair couldn’t wipe the grins off their faces as they arrived for the final day of the star-studded races on Friday wearing matching tweed jackets, before looking cosy in the stands.

Hannah, 51, has never been pictured with Nick before but back in 2024, she opened up about her love life, confessing that she hasn’t been on a date in years and struggles to even remember what going on one is like.

Yet on Friday, Hannah stepped out hand-in-hand with the handsome surgeon while sporting a huge smile on her face, yet hasn’t ever detailed the nature of their relationship verbally.

Hannah looked incredibly chic in a Holland Cooper plaid suit, while NIck wore a similar style of plaid.

Also in attendance on the day were Tommy Fury, Jodie Kidd, Nick Knowles and his wife Katie Dadzie, Elizabeth Hurley and 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 Waddingham, 51, held hands with spine surgeon Nick Beresford-Cleary as they arrived at Cheltenham Festival on Friday

The couple put on a cosy display in the stands as Hannah took his handsome face in her hands

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The couple put on a cosy display in the stands as Hannah took his handsome face in her hands

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

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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

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

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

The duo put on a very animated display while watching the races

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The duo put on a very animated display while watching the races

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

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

The pair looked totally at ease in each other's company

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Hannah could not wipe the smile off her face

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The pair looked totally at ease in each other’s company

Only briefly did the pair appear to take their eyes off each other

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Only briefly did the pair appear to take their eyes off each other

They were joined in the VIP stands by the likes of Celebrity Traitors star Claire Balding (Right)

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They were joined in the VIP stands by the likes of Celebrity Traitors star Claire Balding (Right)

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

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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

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

Geri Halliwell was seen posing for snaps in another all-white ensemble consisting of a long coat and linen trousers alongside Sir Alex Ferguson

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Geri Halliwell was seen posing for snaps in another all-white ensemble consisting of a long coat and linen trousers alongside Sir Alex Ferguson

Horse lover Geri was also seen anxiously watching on alongside her former Red Bull boss husband Christian Horner

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Horse lover Geri was also seen anxiously watching on alongside her former Red Bull boss husband Christian Horner

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

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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

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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

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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

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Harry Redknapp attended the races alongside his wife Sandra

Harry and his beloved wife Sandra were seen beaming as Sandra looped her arm through her husband's arm

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Harry and his beloved wife Sandra were seen beaming as Sandra looped her arm through her husband’s arm

Georgia Toffolo went for a more casual look for the last day of the Cheltenham Races as she sported a pair of jeans for her final outing in the Cotswolds

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Georgia Toffolo went for a more casual look for the last day of the Cheltenham Races as she sported a pair of jeans for her final outing in the Cotswolds

She was also seen watching on from the sides looking disappointed after a race

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She was also seen watching on from the sides looking disappointed after a race

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

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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

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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

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

Zara was seen helping a racegoer with their  wheelchair

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Zara was seen helping a racegoer with their  wheelchair

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

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

Meanwhile TV presenter Laura Whitmore and her husband Ian Stirling were also in attendance as they checked their tickets in the hopes of winning

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Meanwhile TV presenter Laura Whitmore and her husband Ian Stirling were also in attendance as they checked their tickets in the hopes of winning

Tamara Beckwith ws spotted enjoying the race day from a box as she watched on enthusiatically

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Tamara Beckwith ws spotted enjoying the race day from a box as she watched on enthusiatically

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

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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

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Celia Imrie and Mary Berry watched the first race together

Lydia Millen was the epitome of chic in her own Holland Cooper Millen Gordon tweed

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Lydia Millen was the epitome of chic in her own Holland Cooper Millen Gordon tweed

The designer wore a tailored jacket with a circle skirt and stylish pillbox hat while strutting her stuff in Louboutin heels

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The designer wore a tailored jacket with a circle skirt and stylish pillbox hat while strutting her stuff in Louboutin heels

Former Prime Minister David Cameron was among those in attendance for the races

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Former Prime Minister David Cameron was among those in attendance for the races

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.