Stephen Fry to marry partner Elliott Spencer

Elliott Spencer has yet to comment on the proposed marriage to Stephen Fry

Stephen Fry has confirmed he is to marry his partner, Elliott Spencer.

Comedian and writer Fry, 57, has given formal notice to wed Mr Spencer, 27, at a register office in Dereham, Norfolk, near where he grew up.

Writing on Twitter after The Sun newspaper revealed the marriage plans, Fry said: "Oh. It looks as though a certain cat is out of a certain bag.

"I'm very very happy of course but had hoped for a private wedding. Fat chance!"

A photo of the couple had been posted on Elliott Spencer's Twitter profile

Stephen Fry appeared alongside Orlando Bloom in the recent Hobbit films

The pair are thought to have started their relationship last year.

Fry, a director of Norwich City Football Club, has been a familiar face on television since the 1980s and is most recently known for presenting the comedy quiz show QI, as well as for acting roles in The Hobbit and the latest series of 24.

His personal assistant said: "Stephen Fry is very happy and proud to say that he has set the wheels in motion for a wedding sometime in the future but no date has been set due to a busy work schedule."

According to documents on display in Norwich, the wedding will take place in Breckland Business Centre, which houses the register office.

The ceremony room is the "outstanding feature" of the building, according to the Norfolk County Council website.

It says: "Decorated in a modern style, in shades of turquoise, lilac and purple, there is seating for 40 people."

On the paperwork, Fry gives his occupation as an actor, while Mr Spencer is listed as a writer.

Stephen Fry said on Twitter that he had hoped for a private wedding

The notification of Stephen Fry and Elliott Spencer's intention to be married was issued on 23 December

Stephen Fry gave formal notice to wed Elliott Spencer at a register office in Dereham

Fry, who has spoken openly about his struggles with drug abuse and depression, has largely kept his love life private, although he reportedly separated from a long-term partner five years ago.

He has also spoken about a suicide attempt in 2012 which saw him take "a huge number of pills and a huge (amount) of vodka" while filming a documentary about homophobia around the world.

Stephen Fry

• Born in London in 1957 and grew up in Booton, Norfolk

• Attended Cambridge University, where he began a long-running partnership with Hugh Laurie

• The two appeared together in programmes including Blackadder, Jeeves and Wooster and A Bit of Fry and Laurie

• His film roles include playing his idol Oscar Wilde and he also directed a film, Bright Young Things, in 2003

• Lent his voice to audiobook versions of the Harry Potter series, Roald Dahl adaptations and a number of video games

• Technology is one of his passions and he was an early adopter of Twitter, where he is followed by 8 million users

Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry starred in TV shows including Blackadder