Benedict has devoted fans all over the world

Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch is a little overwhelmed by the amount of female attention he’s received since taking on the role of detective Sherlock Holmes in 2010.

Some devotees find it difficult to separate him from his character.

‘It’s very, very nice. But it’s strange to have that sort of intimacy from strangers when it’s all through your work,’ Benedict, 35, tells TV Buzz.

‘There’s a lot of over-the-top loveliness and “I know you don’t know me but I’d like to spend the rest of your life with you” stuff, which is all a bit odd.’

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Anna Duff