The Sherlock writer, co-creator and actor, Mark Gatiss, has added to speculation that the phenomenally successful BBC drama may have run its course.

He stated that it was a growing challenge to find time when both the main stars, Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, can film together.

"I honestly don’t know if there will be any more. It’s incredibly difficult to get Benedict and Martin’s diaries to align," Gatiss said at the WhatsOnStage awards, according to The Sun.

"And obviously we left it in a very happy place… If that’s the end I’d be very happy where we left it."