Hannah Waddingham, 51, holds hands with handsome spine surgeon as they head to Cheltenham Festival in matching plaid jackets

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

Coming to the last day of the star-studded races, the duo could not wipe the smiles off their faces.

In 2024, Hannah opened up about her love life, admitting that she hadn’t dated anyone in years and struggled to even remember what was going on.

But on Friday, Hannah stepped out with a big smile on her face, hand in hand with the handsome surgeon.

Hannah looked incredibly chic in a Holland Cooper plaid suit as she paired up with Nick.

Also attending the day were Tommy Fury, Jodie Kidd, Nick Knowles and wife Katie Dadzie, Elizabeth Hurley and son Damian, Georgia Toffolo, Celia Imrie and Mary Berry.

Hannah walked out hand in hand with the handsome surgeon with a big smile on her face

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

He started his career in mechanical engineering and then completed his medical degree at the University of Edinburgh.

The actress and singer was previously with Italian businessman Gianluca Cugnetto.

The couple had been together for over a decade and were even rumored to be engaged before their split.

Hannah previously revealed she was too busy and picky to start dating again, but added that she would have strict criteria if she did get back into the dating market.

She told Michelle Visage on the Rule Breakers podcast: ‘I’m a pretty picky girl really and have very specific criteria.

‘One of the most important things in men is, come on man, positivity, positivity and charisma and I’m your girl. But there are so many misunderstandings (miserable old fools) out there. I don’t need this.”

She added: ‘I’m not really into stereotypical sweet cakes, whatever, sexy, whatever.

‘I want a man who hugs me and says ‘I got you, I don’t care if you’re wearing make-up or not, I’m happy to lie in bed with you and drink Marmite with toast and a glass of milk.’

‘And just be a lovely, positive, charismatic soul. I’m 50 years old and I’m thinking, “Dude, if you’re not going to stand out, just walk away. Fuck off until someone great comes along.”

The blonde bombshell wasn’t sure why her love life had suddenly dried up, but said she was now more easily put off by men.

He noted that deal breakers were obvious, including bad kissing and lack of eye contact.

The duo couldn’t wipe the smiles off their faces as they reached the last day of the star-studded races.

In 2024, Hannah opened up about her love life, admitting that she hadn’t dated anyone in years and struggled to even remember what was going on.

Hannah looked incredibly chic in her Holland Cooper plaid suit while teaming up with Nick

Hannah previously revealed she was too busy and picky to start dating again, but added that she would have strict criteria if she did get back into the dating market.

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

Also attending the day was Tommy Fury, who took a photo with fashion designer Jade Holland Cooper.

Jodie Kidd chose a houndstooth patterned suit, a matching jacket and black shoes.

Joseph Bates, Jodie Kidd, Jade Holland Cooper, Katie Dadzie and Nick Knowles took a photo together

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

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

Harry Redknapp attended the races with his wife Sandra

Gemma Owen wore a burgundy coat and paired it with a matching silk shirt and black trousers.

Jeremy Clarkson arrives at the races arm in arm with long-time partner Lisa Hogan

Zara Tindall attended the races with her husband Mike, her older brother Peter and her fiancée Harriet Sperling.

Elizabeth Hurley cut a glamorous figure in a black and white floral patterned coat while attending the festival with 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 that she had previously ruled out a potential date due to her sweaty palms, admitting she was “simple” when it came to what was bothering her.

Although she has never been married, the star revealed she was previously engaged to a mystery man thought to be Gianluca, but abandoned her wedding plans after being disappointed by “bland” wedding dresses that didn’t suit her curves.

She said: ‘I think that’s why I never got married because I was engaged once and I wore all these wedding dresses and I was like, ‘Oh, that’s pedestrian.’ I mean, it was so soft.

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

Their last red carpet appearance was at the Olivier Awards in London in April 2022, and although Hannah never spoke out about the split, she referred to herself as a single mother in an interview in 2023.

Back in May, the star was believed to remain fairly single, but the rumors were fueled when she posted a glowing tribute to close friend Nick Todisco on social media, calling him “my beautiful (and I mean beautiful inside and out) my loyal champion, protector and partner in crime.”

At the end of 2022, she reportedly went to a few dinners with musical tenor Alfie Boe, and they had a romance while they were together for the Eurovision Song Contest, hosted by Hannah, last May.

However, the relationship ended in late summer.