Olivia Colman's real name is NOT Olivia Colman so what do her friends call her?
Olivia Colman left the nation baffled this weekend when it was revealed her name is NOT Olivia Colman.
And it turns out the Oscar-winning actress is not known by her real name of Sarah Sinclair either, but goes by the nickname Colly.
As the 45-year-old Peep Show actress was named in the Queen’s birthday honours list as receiving a CBE for her services to drama it was revealed her actual name is Sarah Sinclair.
The Favourite star - born Sarah Caroline Colman - changed her name from to Olivia when she launched her acting career as Sarah Colman was already registered with the Actors Equity Association.
Read more: Queen honours 'The Crown' actress Olivia Colman
The mother-of-three met her husband Ed Sinclair at Cambridge university and they married in 2001, with her taking his surname.
But Colman - who is set to play The Queen in the next series of The Crown - has revealed she is known to friends and family as Colly.
Explaining her choice of stage name to the Independent in 2013 she revealed: "One of my best friends at university was called Olivia and I always loved her name.
“I was never Sarah; I was always called by my nickname, Colly, so it didn't seem so awful not to be called Sarah."
Discussing the Fleabag star’s real name on breakfast TV today Lorraine Kelly said: “I think it’s nice actually anyway. I always wonder if her close family still call her Sarah”.
Read more: Olivia Colman's got a genius plan for her Oscar
Colman rose to fame as Sophie in Peep Show and has gone on to star in hit TV shows including Broadchurch and The Night Manager.
Earlier this year she won an Oscar for her portrayal of Queen Anne in The Favourite.
She said of her CBE: "I'm totally thrilled, delighted and humbled to be in the company of these incredible people most of whom have been nowhere near as visible as I have, but should be - and hopefully now will be. It's such an honour."
