Sherlock writer Steven Moffat believes Benedict Cumberbatch is "very keen" to continue playing the famous detective, despite the actor hinting the next series could be the last.

Cumberbatch recently claimed the fourth instalment of the hit BBC drama, which is expected to air early next year, felt "like the end of an era".

Moffat said talks were still to be held with the BBC about making another series but he insisted Cumberbatch had not suggested the show was coming to an end.

He told the Press Association: "If you just look at what (Benedict) actually says, he says nothing of the kind.

"He actually says he's very keen to carry on playing Sherlock Holmes.

"We haven't even put the new series out yet. We haven't talked to the BBC about another run.

"It's the clickbait era turning something that was nothing at all into a story."

Sherlock has been a ratings hit for the BBC, with Cumberbatch starring as the eponymous detective and Martin Freeman as his sidekick Doctor Watson.

In an interview with British GQ magazine, The Imitation Game star said he would "never say never" to reprising the role but the series felt "complete".

He told the GQ's November issue: "It might be the end of an era. It feels like the end of an era, to be honest. I t goes to a place where it will be pretty hard to follow on immediately.

"We never say never on the show. I'd love to revisit it, I'd love to keep revisiting it, I stand by that, but in the immediate future we all have things that we want to crack on with and we've made something very complete as it is, so I think we'll just wait and see.

"The idea of never playing him again is really galling."

The fourth series of Sherlock will consist of three episodes, which the BBC has said will be "the most shocking and surprising yet".