Benedict Cumberbatch fans have been given a very real chance to not just meet the man himself but have afternoon tea with him. The National Theatre are running a raffle to raise funds for their projects and one raffle entry will win tea with Cumberbatch and his Sherlock co-star Andrew Scott.

Both actors have appeared on the stage as well as the screen and the two together would surely make for a fascinating way to pass an afternoon.

So, just on the off-chance that you actually win the raffle and have your name pulled out of the proverbial hat, here’s how to behave when meeting the actor.



1. Play it cool…


They are just two normal . . . human . . . people.

…even if inside you are screaming.

2. Master the compliment

It’s totally fine to say you enjoy his work but perhaps don’t go overboard.

3. Think of some really good questions

‘Will you marry me?’ and ‘Say something in your Sherlock voices’ are all well and good but perhaps come up with a few more – you know, just in case.

4. Have something interesting to say

After you’ve got over the gushing, you actually have to have something to say that doesn’t just sound like gibberish.

5. Dress the part

You want to dress for the occasion but you also want to feel comfortable. Don’t wear something that means you can’t sit, or drink tea without panicking.

6. Read the room

Want that selfie, sandwiched between the two of them? Perhaps wait a while and see how they both respond to your questions. You might not want to open with a selfie request and then spend the rest of the tea surrounded by awkward silences.

So that’s a no on the selfie then?

Oh go on…