Fans are reacting to the news that Benedict Cumberbatch is engaged to girlfriend Sophie Hunter – and many of them are mourning the loss of the actor’s single life. One Twitter user, Julie Padilla, said there was no point leaving the house given that the Sherlock star is off the market.

Meanwhile, another called Victoria Finan warned fellow members of the CumberCollective, as his fans are known, that “this is not a drill” and said she planned to wear black.

Benedict Cumberbatch is off the market

Do you hear that? That's a sound of a million hearts breaking. #BenedictCumberbatch is engaged.

— ⚡️Julie Padilla ⚡️ (@julie__padilla) November 5, 2014

Oh god my life's over Benedict Cumberbatch is engaged, no point even leaving the house today really

— jodie patullo (@JodiePatullo) November 5, 2014

His announcement in The Times gave a clue as to why he’s so popular with the ladies, harking back to almost Downton-era etiquette.

The small notice read: “The engagement is announced between Benedict, son of Wanda and Timothy Cumberbatch of London and Sophie, daughter of Katharine Hunter of Edinburgh and Charles Hunter.”

BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH IS ENGAGED THIS IS NOT A DRILL. Wearing black in mourning for my lost love :((((

— Victoria Finan (@victoriafinan) November 5, 2014

Benedict Cumberbatch asked Sophie Hunter’s mother before proposing

rule number one is never sleep because you might wake up and benedict cumberbatch is engaged

— Emily O'Neill (@emilyxp15) November 5, 2014

The office is rocked by the Benedict Cumberbatch news this morning. Genuine gasps were heard.

— Becky Gresley-Jones (@BeckyGJ) November 5, 2014

The film critics of the Telegraph appeared to make fun of the distress, quipping: “Calm down folks, it could easily be another Benedict Cumberbatch”.

London-born actor has become a global star thanks to his role in Sherlock. He’s on first name terms with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie after appearing in a string of Hollywood movies in the past few years.

Despite his celebrity status the 38-year-old thesp refuses to take himself too seriously. At the Oscars this year he polished off a few mini bottles of vodka offered by Ellen DeGeneres, then photobombed U2.

Calm down folks, it could easily be another Benedict Cumberbatch

— Robbie Collin (@robbiereviews) November 5, 2014

Hearts breaking all over the world...Benedict Cumberbatch is engaged. Well at least we still have Tom Hiddleston 

— KLM (@ClancyKolzig) November 5, 2014

His admirers can at least be certain that he has found a smart, stylish leading lady. Sophie’s friendship with the actor dates back to 2009 when they appeared in a movie together. She has since go on to direct avant garde theatre productions around the world.

Their relationship turned romantic earlier this year after he broke up with furniture designer Anna Jones. Benedict previously dated actress Olivia Poulet for ten years.

... So Benedict Cumberbatch is engaged. Congratulations. *Wipes away tears* I'm so happy for them, really

— Felicity (@FerlickityB) November 5, 2014

Many many congratulations to Benedict Cumberbatch on his engagement to Sophie Hunter 

— Cumberbatchweb (@cumberbatchweb) November 5, 2014