Update 17/4 Following our previous reports, even Andrew Scott knows that you're Googling whether priests can have sex. The actor, who plays The Hot Priest, told The Telegraph: 'I certainly think the series has made [Catholicism] relevant. There's been a thing where Googling "Can you have sex with a priest" has increased. So that's extraordinary to me.'
Spoiler alert! The Hot Priest and Fleabag’s relationship is obviously raising a lot of questions… Like, will they, won’t they? (Erm, if you haven't watched it, I don't know how to break it to you, but they most definitely have.) Are they meant to be together forever? (In my opinion: yes.) And some news outlets have even been asking the question is Andrew Scott single? (No, he’s not. The gay actor is in a long-term relationship, which is sad news for pretty much everyone lusting over him on screen.)
But, the question which seems to be on everyone’s lips is probably not as sexy as you think... According to Google trends, ‘can priests get married?’ has spiked, with searches up 170% in the UK. Don’t think it’s to do with The Hot Priest? Think again, because searches for ‘priest from Fleabag’ also shot up 400%. (And everybody also wants to know how many episodes are in each series… The answer is six. Last week is the final episode of season two!)
Take a look through all of Fleabag and the Hot Priest's best moments:
All The Best Moments Between Fleabag And The Hot Priest - Slider
1 of 31'So hot!'
Where it all began... Fleabag and her sister agreeing that The Hot Priest is in fact hot after the first time they meet him.
2 of 31'So you're a cool priest now then?'
'So you're a cool priest now then?'
3 of 31THP then inviting over Fleabag for a cup of tea, only then to crack out the M&S canned G&T. (The store has since said sales have gone up by 24%)
THP then inviting over Fleabag for a cup of tea, only then to crack out the M&S canned G&T. (The store has since said sales have gone up by 24%)
4 of 31The first sign they were meant to be... 'I haven't been asked a question in 45 minutes' cue The Hot Priest asking, 'So, what do you do?' before she can even finish her sentence.
The first sign they were meant to be... 'I haven't been asked a question in 45 minutes' cue The Hot Priest asking, 'So, what do you do?' before she can even finish her sentence.
5 of 31Absolute power move, flirting with The Hot Priest after going to church literally just to see him.
Absolute power move, flirting with The Hot Priest after going to church literally just to see him.
6 of 31The painting falling down when she says she doesn't believe in God.
The painting falling down when she says she doesn't believe in God. Cue THP shouting, 'I love it when he does that!'
7 of 31THP: 'You were in my prayers last night.' Fleabag: 'Likewise.'
THP: 'You were in my prayers last night.'Fleabag: 'Likewise.'
8 of 31The look of realisation when she utters: 'Oh God, I fancy a priest'
The look of realisation when she utters: 'Oh God, I fancy a priest'
9 of 31THE INVESTIGATION AS TO WHETHER PRIESTS CAN HAVE SEX BEGINS.
THE INVESTIGATION AS TO WHETHER PRIESTS CAN HAVE SEX BEGINS.
10 of 31'Do you really want to fuck the priest, or do you want to fuck God?'
Fiona Shaw making a guest apperance from Killing Eve as Fleabag's therapist.'Do you really want to fuck the priest, or do you want to fuck God?' 'Can you fuck God?''Oh yes.'(She correctly predicts what is going to happen too, all powers to Fiona Shaw.)
11 of 31Fleabag: 'She orgasmed when she finished it.' The Hot Priest: 'Whatever gets you there.'
Fleabag: 'Don't say it, don't say it. She actually orgasmed when she finished it. I just said it, appaently.'The Hot Priest: 'Whatever gets you there.'
12 of 31'Arm touch, oooh.'
'Arm touch, oooh.'
13 of 31'I can't believe I’m asking this, but can I get that coconut back? They’re actually on hire. I’m not sure if all of them are real, which is morally a bit dubious actually.'
'I can't believe I'm asking this, but can I get that coconut back? They're actually on hire. I'm not sure if all of them are real, which is morally a bit dubious actually.' (The disappointment on her face that he hasn't asked for something else is v sad.)
14 of 31The Hot Priest being scared of foxes.
The Hot Priest being scared of foxes.
15 of 31WHEN HE BREAKS THE FIFTH WALL AND NOTICES FLEABAG TALKING TO THE AUDIENCE. ALL THE PROOF THAT THEY ARE MEANT TO BE. Also excruciatingly awkward.
WHEN HE BREAKS THE FIFTH WALL AND NOTICES FLEABAG TALKING TO THE AUDIENCE. ALL THE PROOF THAT THEY ARE MEANT TO BE. Also excruciatingly awkward.
16 of 31Fleabag helping The Hot Priest choose his robes. Couple goals.
Fleabag helping The Hot Priest choose his robes. Couple goals.
17 of 31'HIS NECK!'
'HIS NECK!'
18 of 31The Hot Priest laughing to himself after Fleabag gets up to say 'I sometimes worry I wouldn't be much of a feminist if I had bigger tits.'
The Hot Priest laughing to himself after Fleabag gets up to say 'I sometimes worry I wouldn't be much of a feminist if I had bigger tits.'
19 of 31'And then, for some reason, I was thinking about your tits which kind of ruined it.'
'And then, for some reason, I was thinking about your tits which kind of ruined it.'
20 of 31'I think you played with my guinea pig quite enough.'
'I think you played with my guinea pig quite enough.'
21 of 31'I can't read a Winnie The Pooh quote without crying. Fuck.'
'I can't read a Winnie The Pooh quote without crying. Fuck.'
22 of 31Piglet.
Piglet.
23 of 31'Sometimes, I worry I'm only in it for the outfits.'
'Sometimes, I worry I'm only in it for the outfits.'
24 of 31That confession scene.
That confession scene.
25 of 31When the sexual tension is finally broken, only for Fleabag to freak out whether he is wearing a skirt AND trousers.
When the sexual tension is finally broken, only for Fleabag to freak out whether he is wearing a skirt AND trousers.
26 of 31Olivia Colman eloquently shrieking that The Hot Priest a cunt (as soon as he leaves, obviously) when he says he can't officiate their weddding.
Olivia Colman eloquently shrieking that The Hot Priest a cunt (as soon as he leaves, obviously) when he says he can't officiate their weddding.
27 of 31'Please don't come to the church, I mean that with the greatest of compliments.'
'Please don't come to the church, I mean that with the greatest of compliments.'
28 of 31'Nine times?'
'Nine times?'
29 of 31'I can't have sex with you because I'll fall in love with, and while I won't burst into flames, my life will be fucked.'
'I can't have sex with you because I'll fall in love with, and while I won't burst into flames, my life will be fucked.'
30 of 31'We're going to have sex, aren't we? Mm, yeah'
'We're going to have sex, aren't we? Mm, yeah'
31 of 31The inevitable happens, obviously. Oh God.
The inevitable happens, obviously. Oh God.
So, can priests get married? Well, let’s break it down. In the Catholic church, not really. Exceptions, on a case-by-case basis, are sometimes made for priests who got married before they converted to Catholicism. (But they cannot climb the career ladder to become bishops.) However, you can't tie the knot after you become a Catholic priest. (Not looking good for The Hot Priest and Fleabag waltzing down the aisle, tbh.) It’s a different story in Anglicanism and Protestantism, which in general do not require celibacy of its clergy and allow clerical marriage.
Well, we'll still (optimistically) keep our fingers crossed for a Fleabag wedding in next week's final episode.
READ MORE: Here's The Reason The Hot Priest And Fleabag Are Meant To Be Together
READ MORE: Were Our Prayers Finally Answered In Last Night’s Fleabag?