Since the ice bucket challenge went viral earlier this month, everyone from Justin Bieber to David Beckham has taken part in the stunt.

But now Benedict Cumberbatch has upped the ante by stripping off and getting doused with ice-cold water a whopping six times, all in the name of charity.

The Sherlock star has teamed up with the British version of the ALS Assocation, the Motor Neurone Disease Association, in order to encourage people to raise money for sufferers of the neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis – also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

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Up close and personal: A shirtless Benedict Cumberbatch gets soaked in the shower to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association

The 38-year-old star kicked off his two-minute clip just like any other nomination video, sitting on a bench and discussing the imporantance of donating to the cause.

He said: 'My name's Benedict Cumberbatch and I've been nominated to take the ice bucket challenge by Tom Hiddleston, Juno Temple, and Adelaide Clemens... three times!

'So here I am, about to take it. I'm a day late as well, but I'm just going to take the one.

Good sport: Benedict has become an ambassador for the Motor Neurone Disease Association

Poker face: Benedict didn't flinch as the freezing water was poured over him

Soaked through: The 38-year-old did let out a bovine bellowing noise, however 'Now it's in order to raise awareness for ALS, which is a form of Motor Neurone Disease, which has a devastating effect on people's lives, so please text and donate generously. Bring on the bucket.' Benedict initially appeared calm and collected, but The Star Trek: Into Darkness actor couldn't help letting out a low bellowing noise as the freezing cold water hit his head. He then revealed his own nominations - movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, pop princess Kylie Minogue and Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton.

Not so stoic now! But the star lost control of his facial muscles after one too many ice cubes

But the torture didn't end there, since Benedict was then subjected to a further FIVE ice-cold baths.

The camera followed him into the shower as he stripped completely naked, jabbering away about how cold he was.

'Oh God! So cold! Why the hell isn't this [shower] working? What's going on? What are you guys doing?', he cried.

The look of fear: Benedict was unimpressed when he saw a second bucket coming his way

Cold shower: The star took his second dousing straight to the face

The poor star was blind-sided as his pals threw another bucket of water over his quivering body.

The short video clip then cut to a suit-clad Benedict talking to fellow British actor Tom Hiddleston on the phone as his friends snuck up behind him with yet another bucketful.

'Yeah Tom, I've done it', he said, 'I know I was late, I guess that's why they did it to me again in the shower. What do you mean I've got to do it more time because I was nominated more than once?'

Who you gonna call? Benedict pretends to be on the phone to his good friend Tom Hiddleston

Brr! The Hobbit star got the ice bucket treatment for the third time while suited and booted

Benedict was then filmed straddling a motorbike, insisting that he needed to get off quickly.

He went to put his helmet on, only to tip a load of icy water onto his own head, before having another bucket chucked on him in quick succession.

In a last ditch attempt to escape, the star ran to his car but was ambushed by his friends who give him one final cold shower.

Self-inflicted: The star poured water onto his own head from his helmet

Double trouble: The poor Sherlock favourite was attacked with two buckets in rapid succession

So far celebrities including Iggy Azalea, Nina Dobrev, Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Chloe Moretz, Oprah Winfrey, Daisy Lowe and Victoria Beckham have volunteered for a soaking in a bid to raise cash for charities dedicated to researching the debilitating condition.

The disease affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord in control of voluntary muscle movement.

According to NBC News, the huge popularity of the Ice Bucket Challenge has raised over $50 million for the ALS Association in just a few short weeks .

Getaway car: The actor was ambushed one last time in spite of his best efforts to escape