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Benedict Cumberbatch is such a thoughtful fellow, isn't he? He's always thinking of his fans - case in point, consoling them over his impending nuptials.

The newly engaged Sherlock actor assured his adoring Cumberbitches they needn't fall into a crumbling heap of tears and ice cream following his engagement to Sophie Hunter.

Appearing on US talk show Live with Kelly and Michael!, he told his fans their "ovaries do still have use".

When host Kelly Ripa pointed out that news of his engagement had made lots of women sad, the 38-year-old said: "One girl wasn't!"

The charming Imitation Game went on to sweetly let his fans down gently. You guys, it's not you, it's him.

He added: "I'm very happy, I'm a very happy man. I have a great population of fans as well — they're smart, they'll get around to the idea."

(Image: EMPICS Entertainment)

Cumberbatch's engagement took the world by surprise earlier this month when his parents announced the news rather traditionally in the Forthcoming Marriages section of The Times newspaper.

The announcement reads: "Mr BT. Cumberbatch and Miss S.I. Hunter: The engagement is announced between Benedict, son of Wanda and Timothy Cumberbatch of London, and Sophie, daughter of Katharine Hunter of Edinburgh and Charles Hunter of London."

The A-list star said the nonchalant announcement is exactly what he would have done if he wasn't famous.

He told USA Today: “It’s a normal thing to do in my country. It was a way of telling our friends who we hadn’t been able to tell before (they saw) some grainy shot of a ring on her finger.”

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