Harry Potter star Alan Rickman has revealed he has married his high school sweetheart after 50 years together.

The 69-year-old actor and director has been in a relationship with Rima Horton, 68, since they met when he was 19 and she was 18.

The couple have lived together in London for 50 years.

Rickman revealed to German newspaper Bild that they recently tied the knot in secret.

Asked what the secret of his successful relationship was, though they were not married, Alan replied: "We are married, just recently."

"It was great because no one was there. After the wedding in New York, we walked across the Brooklyn Bridge and ate lunch."

The A Little Chaos star apparently also revealed he gave his new wife a simple 200 US dollar (£130) gold band that "she never wears".