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Benedict Cumberbatch has admitted he almost turned down the iconic role of Sherlock because he worried it might be “cheesy” or cause too much exposure.

The acclaimed actor, 37, took part in a new Bafta event called 'In Conversation' where stars of the screen will talk at length about their careers.

And the British star wowed the audience at New York’s Standard hotel when he admitted he was unsure about Sherlock to begin with.

Written and created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, it has gone on to be one of the biggest BBC dramas for more than a decade.

Benedict said of Sherlock: “It is the most dramatised character of all time.

“I heard about it and thought that sounds like an idea to reinfranchise something to make money. It could be a bit cheap and cheesy.

“Then I found out who was involved and realised it wouldn’t be cheap and cheesy.

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“My mum had done a few episodes Coupling with Steven(Moffat) and Mark Gatiss was a huge hero of mine when I was a student in League Of Gentleman so I knew the stable was good.

“I thought I would read it and then I fell in love with it.”

He then described his audition process at the house of Beryl Vertue, mother of Steven Moffat’s wife Sue.

At one point Beryl brought tea into the room and he thought she was Mrs Hudson, the character from Sherlock, before Sue explained: “no that’s my mother”.

But despite this embarrassing moment, the audition went well and as he got back on his Scooter afterwards he was told they wanted him for the role.

“I said christ this could be really exposing, in a good way, but it is a very iconic character so there will be lots of focus on it.

“So I took a deep breath, cos there were other things hovering around, and this was a big step but it is good material. So we did the pilot and the BBC loved it.”

* Benedict Cumberbatch was speaking at new Bafta event ‘In Conversation’ which will take place in the US and in London. Mark Jefferies flew to New York with Virgin Atlantic.