While Sherlock fans are still pining for a fifth season, its two biggest stars are seemingly in serious disagreement about the show's future.

Martin Freeman, who plays Watson on the hit BBC1 series, had previously expressed misgivings about a return to screens, explaining that the expectations of critics and fans made the series “not fun anymore”.

“It’s not a thing to be enjoyed,” he said in March. “It’s a thing of: ‘You better f***ing do this, otherwise, you’re a c***.’ That’s not fun anymore.”

Benedict Cumberbatch, who plays Holmes, has since called Freeman's comments “pathetic” and that expectations are no reason to stop producing Sherlock.

Sherlock season 4 in pictures Show all 7 1 /7 Sherlock season 4 in pictures Sherlock season 4 in pictures Mark Gatiss and Benedict Cumberbatch in Sherlock Sherlock, Season 4 premieres January 1, 2017 on MASTERPIECE onÂ PBS. Picture shows: Mycroft Holmes (MARK GATISS) and Sherlock Holmes (BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH) Copyright: Hartswood Films 2016. Sherlock season 4 in pictures Una Stubbs as Mrs Hudson in Sherlock Sherlock, Season 4 premieres January 1, 2017 on MASTERPIECE onÂ PBS. Picture shows: Mrs Hudson (UNA STUBBS) Copyright: Hartswood Films 2016 Sherlock season 4 in pictures Mark Gatiss in Sherlock Sherlock, Season 4 premieres January 1, 2017 on MASTERPIECE onÂ PBS. Picture shows: Mycroft Holmes (MARK GATISS) Copyright: Hartswood Films 2016. Sherlock season 4 in pictures Toby Jones in Sherlock Sherlock, Season 4 premieres January 1, 2017 on MASTERPIECE onÂ PBS. Picture shows: Culverton Smith (TOBY JONES) Copyright: Hartswood Films 2016. Sherlock season 4 in pictures Martin Freeman in Sherlock Sherlock, Season 4 premieres January 1, 2017 on MASTERPIECE onÂ PBS. Picture shows: John Watson (MARTIN FREEMAN) Copyright: Hartswood Films 2016. Sherlock season 4 in pictures Martin Freeman, Amanda Abbington, and Benedict Cumberbatch in Sherlock Sherlock, Season 4 premieres January 1, 2017 on MASTERPIECE onÂ PBS. Picture shows: Behind-the-scenes filming 'Sherlock' Season 4. John Watson (MARTIN FREEMAN), Mary Watson (AMANDA ABBINGTON) and Sherlock Holmes (BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH) Copyright: Hartswood Films 2016. Sherlock season 4 in pictures Amanda Abbington, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Martin Freeman in Sherlock Sherlock, Season 4 premieres January 1, 2017 on MASTERPIECE onÂ PBS. Picture shows: Mary Watson (AMANDA ABBINGTON), Sherlock Holmes (BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH) and John Watson (MARTIN FREEMAN) Hartswood Films 2016

“It’s pretty pathetic if that’s all it takes to let you not want to take a grip of your reality,” the actor told The Telegraph.

“What, because of expectations? I don’t know. I don’t necessarily agree with that.”

Other Sherlock alumni to have commented on the possibility of future episodes include Andrew Scott, Moriaty on the show, who said there probably wouldn't be more episodes for a long time.