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He may not be conventionally handsome leading man - but Benedict Cumberbatch has been setting pulses racing over the last few years.

Since his breakthough as an iconic and utterly mesmerising Sherlock Holmes, the poshest of actors has notched up an impressive range of roles.

And not just icy cool, toff geniuses.

Our brilliant clips show the clever chap serendaing a lucky woman, wearing ill-advised swimming attire and playing a total prat to hilarious effect.

Not to mention his latest film The Imitation Game, where he takes on the role of tortured war hero Alan Turing.

To celebrate the film's home entertainment release, we take a look back at some of his most memorable roles.

Starter for Ten (2006)

Based on the novel by David Nicholls, this British comedy follows the trials and tribulations of student Brian Jackson (James McAvoy), a working class student in 1985 who finds himself navigating the campus of Bristol University.

He attempts to impress the object of his affections, Alice (Alice Eve), while finally succeeding in his lifelong ambition to win University Challenge.

Cumberbatch steals every scene he’s in, demonstrating a brilliant knack for comedy as the socially inept and uptight captain of the team, Patrick Watts.

Atonement (2007)

This heartbreaking wartime drama based on Ian McEwan’s bestselling novel boasts a stellar cast, including Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, Saoirse Ronan and Vanessa Redgrave.

When the budding romance between Cecilia Tallis (Knightley) and Robbie Turner (McAvoy) is cut brutally short following a lie told by Bryony Tallis (Ronan), the repercussions span several decades.

Cumberbatch provides a brilliant, deeply unsettling and sinister supporting turn as confectioner Paul Marshall, a guest of the Tallis family whose actions reverberate across the lives of the entire household...

Sherlock (2010-2016)

Widely considered to be his breakout role, this BBC series created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss catapulted Cumberbatch into the mainstream, winning him legions of fans and launching him into the A-list.

Taking on the titular role, he’s joined by an equally brilliant Martin Freeman as the consulting detective’s best friend and colleague, Dr John Watson, with supporting turns from Una Stubbs, Rupert Graves, Louise Brealey and Andrew Scott.

Critically acclaimed and adored, Cumberbatch has won countless praise for his unique, fresh and pitch-perfect portrayal of the beloved literary character, and the show picked up three Emmys in 2014: leading actor for Cumberbatch, supporting actor for Freeman and writing for a miniseries for Moffat.

It's impossible to pick simply one clip, so we have found a wonderful compilation of Sherlock's most withering insults.

The Imitation Game (2014)

Based on the true story of legendary cryptanalyst Alan Turing, this historical biopic recounts the nail-biting race against time by Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch) and his brilliant team of code-breakers at Bletchley Park during World War II.

The film spans key periods in Turing's life, from his unhappy years at boarding school and the triumph of his secret work on the revolutionary electro-mechanical 'Bombe', which broke the Enigma code, to the tragedy of his post-war decline following his conviction for a now outdated criminal offence.

Cumberbatch garnered multiple leading actor nominations for his astounding performance, including for an Academy Award, BAFTA and SAG.

August: Osage County (2013)

Based on the play by Tracy Letts, this darkly comic look at a family in turmoil boasts a star-studded cast, including Cumberbatch, Juliette Lewis, Meryl Street, Julia Roberts, Ewan Macgregor and Margo Martindale.

Cumberbatch plays the shy, awkward Little Charles, summoned home by his grandmother (Streep) after his grandfather (Sam Shepard) goes missing.

As the ensuing crisis unearths long-buried secrets and resentments the poor lad is struggling with his own secret love.

This gorgeous clip of Little Charles wooing Ivy (Julianne Nicholson) is even more heart-breaking if you know how this tragic love story ultimately unfolds.

12 Years A Slave (2013)

This multi-award winning historical biopic of Solomon Northup, the free black man from upstate New York who was abducted and sold into slavery, is regarded as a modern classic and won the Academy Award for Best Picture on its release.

Chiwetel Ejiofor plays Northup, with Cumberbatch taking the supporting role of William Ford, a benevolent but weak-willed plantation owner.

Ford is impressed by Northup’s innovative ideas for running his plantation, but ultimately sells him on to sadistic plantation owner Edwin Epps (Michael Fassbender).

Our clip is a refreshing behind-the-scenes look at Cumberbatch hard at work on set of the film.

Third Star (2010)

This moving drama stars Cumberbatch as James, a terminally sick young man who embarks on an ill-advised trip with his three closest friends, Davy (Tom Burke), Miles (JJ Feild) and Bill (Adam Robertson), to visit his favourite place on earth before he dies - Barafundle Bay in West Wales.

As they make the trip, the bonds of their friendships are tested with comical, poignant results - and a wonderfully heartbreaking performance from Cumberbatch.

(SPOILER WARNING: THIS CLIPS IS THE ACTUAL ENDING OF THE FILM)

The Imitation Game is available now on Blu-ray, DVD and digital download