With his accomplished career, good looks and public school charm, Benedict Cumberbatch has long been regarded as one of the hottest bachelors of the showbiz world.

So as he prepares to make his return to the stage to play Hamlet on Wednesday, the Sherlock actor's legion of fans - who call themselves the Cumberbitches - are getting rather excited.

Indeed, it's been reported the Barbican theatre in London's Square Mile is putting on extra security 'to cope with the popularity of the actor' among fans - who make the Directioners look like lambs in comparison.

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Benedict Cumberbatch has long been regarded as one of the hottest bachelors of the showbiz world and fans are eagerly anticipating his return to the stage as Hamlet

According to The Times, the actor's fans are travelling from all over the globe to watch the 39-year-old's turn in Lyndsey Turner's play.

Fans who weren't lucky enough to snap up tickets when they went on sale last January will be arriving at the crack of dawn to get their hands on one of the 30 £10 tickets being released daily until the play finishes in October.

Fans are flying in from New Zealand, Peru and Russia to watch the star's turn in Lyndsey Turner's play

If you want to see Benedict - pictured with wife Sophie - in action, £10 tickets are being released daily until the play finishes in October

According to the New York Times, fans are flying in from New Zealand, Peru and Russia to watch the star in action.

Naomi Roper, a lawyer who runs Cumberbatchweb, told The Times: 'I am personally trying to discourage people from camping overnight for the show, but I think it’s inevitable that towards the end of the run people will stay overnight to get tickets as their chances of seeing it live decreases.'

This isn't the first time that the 'Cumberbitches' have made their mark.

As Benedict announced his engagement to Sophie Hunter in the marriages section of The Times last November, thousands of hearts shattered across the western world.

Hours after the announcement, the internet was alight with wailing women.

The ladies even have their own tongue-in-cheek Tumblr site called 'Cumberbitch Problems', where they list a number of problems that come with being a Benedict Cumberbatch fan.

Sadly for his fans, Benedict became a father after his wife Sophie gave birth to a son in June.