Rivals actress Bella Maclean has been photographed with her artist boyfriend Ted Hansen in Mojácar, Spain, as they joined co-stars ahead of Emily Atack’s second wedding to Dr Alistair Garner.
Maclean, 28, was seen lunching with Hansen in the whitewashed hilltop town on Friday, wearing a baseball cap and blue shorts. The couple were accompanied by fellow Rivals cast members Alex Hassell and Victoria Smurfit.
The outing marks the first time Maclean has been publicly linked to Hansen, with the actress previously choosing not to discuss her private life.
A source said the pair had been dating for some time and appeared close during a performance by Spandau Ballet singer Tony Hadley in May.
“They have been dating for a while and were all over each other,” the source said. “She was stroking his hair back in May, he looked very proud of her. They seemed very happy together.”
Maclean is best known for playing Taggie O’Hara in the television adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s novel Rivals, in which her character becomes infatuated with the charismatic Rupert Campbell-Black.
Hansen, who is of a similar age to the actress, works as a full-time artist. After studying at Falmouth and Leeds universities, he began producing surreal wall hangings with a comic edge.
The actress has continued working since her breakthrough in Rivals, recently returning from Mississippi after filming the independent movie In Starland. She has also completed a 10-month shoot for the television series.
Rivals cast gather for Emily Atack’s Spanish wedding
Atack’s wedding celebrations are expected to draw around 200 guests to Mojácar, where the ceremony will take place at a 16th-century church before a reception involving two nearby restaurants.
The actress was seen inspecting preparations in the town while wearing a vintage floral dress from Diane von Furstenberg’s archive and Prada sunglasses. Staff were also delivering cases of Cava, along with beer, wine and spirits for the evening party.
Hassell, who played Rupert Campbell-Black opposite Atack in the series, arrived in Almería with his wife Emma King before travelling on to Mojácar. Smurfit, who plays Maud O’Hara, was also seen arriving with her husband Steve Jacobs.
Rufus Jones, who portrays Atack’s on-screen husband Paul Stratton, has likewise travelled to Spain with his wife Philippa Allam ahead of the celebrations.
Atack has long regarded Mojácar as a special place after spending summers there during her childhood. Her father previously owned a property in the town, which she has continued to visit with her family.
