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Benedict Cumberbatch didn't exactly jump for joy when he was offered the role of Sherlock Holmes.

In fact, during an interview with CNN's Talk Asia, the British star admitted he almost turned the part down.

He explained: "I was very wary - having done roles which were challenging and terrific and, you know kept a good career going. I was very wary about stepping into the limelight and the populist role like Sherlock Holmes."

(Image: BBC)

Despite his initial concerns, the 39-year-old was persuaded to sign up for the BBC series after reading the script and finding out the talent who had put their names down

Opening up about his decision to play the popular detective, Benedict added that he still feared how the part would affect people's opinion of him.

"Hopefully I haven't left being a respected actor behind by playing Sherlock," he added. "I was just going from great jobs but they weren't in the limelight. They weren't in the public eye. But no matter what we did with [Sherlock] it was going to garner that kind of attention."

(Image: Getty)

Although he does sometime worry about how others in the industry see him, Benedict also admitted he enjoys his fame.

While he has been an actor for more than a decade, he said that it's only recently that people have started to recognise him from his work.

"I still giggle when people sort of fall about if they meet me in the streets or something," he added. "I genuinely still find it quite amusing. So long that may continue because it keeps you a bit grounded."

CNN’s Talk Asia airs on Saturday 12 September at 12.30pm on CNN International.