Season four of Sherlock proved relatively controversial with fans of the series, many pining for the days when Benedict Cumberbatch’s character solved rational cases without explosions and fist fights.

Co-creator, writer and Mycroft Holmes actor Mark Gatiss responded to claims the show’s titular character was becoming too much like James Bond with a poem.

Speaking to The Guardian, Gatiss has expressed his feelings about the backlash, saying it was inevitable thanks to most classic shows being hated at some stage.

Calling the backlash “familiar pattern” with success, he said: “We toyed with calling one of the episodes 'Backlash', because it’s time.”

Pointing to the third series of The League of Gentlemen, a show he also created and starred in, Gatiss added: “though now regarded as a classic, was very controversial. A lot of people hated it.”

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

Apparently, it had never been their intention to go ‘off piste’: “It goes for any artistic endeavour – all you can do is your best. Sometimes you have to have an unpleasant amount of attention.

“But I’m stopped in the street two or three times a day by people saying how much they’ve enjoyed it. What more could you want?”

The final episode of season four caused quite a stir when released, particularly with regards Louise Brealey’s character Molly, who seemingly had no resolution.