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Benedict Cumberbatch delighted his fans with a “hilarious” radio performance that couldn't be further from his Sherlock role.

The acclaimed actor, 37, was the main reason a record 22,800 people applied to attend the last ever episode of Radio 4 sitcom Cabin Pressure.

Once inside, the lucky 200 audience members at London's RADA studios on Sunday night saw an acting masterclass, with Benedict joined by The Thick Of It star Roger Allam, Stephanie Cole and show creator John Finnemore as well as guest stars.

Based around a one plane charter airline run “on a wing and a prayer” owned by divorcee Carolyn.

Benedict plays dozy Captain Martin Crieff, said to have passed his flying exams at the seventh attempt.

Unlike Sherlock, Martin has no powers of deduction and is far from a perfect pilot, despite being obsessed with planes.

Benedict took on the role back in 2008 when the radio show began and they last made a series in December 2012.

Although he is now among the most wanted stars in Hollywood, he agreed to come back for one last episode.

A BBC source said: "Benedict may be a big name now but he has not forgotten who he worked with on his way up and he has always loved making Cabin Pressure. There was no way he would let anyone down and he made sure there was room in his diary to film one last feature length episode where Martin has some big decisions to make.

“It was a hilarious night with Benedict often helping set up the punchlines for his co-stars, instead of being the leading man for a change.”

Afterwards Benedict looked close to tears as creator John Finnemore gave an emotional speech thanking those taking part who were sat behind him and have helped “makes dreams come true” for him in the last five years.

Benedict hugged John at the end of the speech and also embraced Roger Allam and Stephanie Cole as they realised they had delivered the show's last ever lines.

Cumberbatch was then mobbed for photographs and autographs but calmly and kindly stayed on stage to pose with fans and sign tickets.

Sadly for the 50 or so fans waiting outside RADA who didn’t get in - and Benedict’s millions of fans around the world - there is set to be quite a long wait to hear Benedict in this role of Martin Crieff for one last time.

The show’s producer announced on stage that bosses at Radio 4 currently plan to air the last ever episode of Cabin Pressure on Christmas Eve.