Benedict Cumberbatch’s mother didn’t think he was good-looking enough to play Sherlock

Benedict Cumberbatch’s legion of fans may be shocked to learn that his own mother didn’t think he was good-looking enough to play Sherlock.

Cumberbatch – who plays the sleuth in the BBC drama – also didn’t regard himself as attractive enough to take on the part and believes his sex symbol status is “preposterous”.

Showrunner Steven Moffat told Time Out: “Benedict's mum didn't think he was good-looking enough to play Sherlock. Nobody did.

“He never thought of himself as good-looking and everyone casually agreed with him. He still regards it as preposterous that he’s become this sex symbol.”

Regardless of his looks, Moffat praised Cumberbatch’s acting talent and predicted he will “go down in history”.

He said: “Only great actors do well as Sherlock Holmes. It's a silly part. You have to have that weight, style and gravitas to anchor him and make him real.

“Cumberbatch is an utterly brilliant actor. He will go down in history.”

Cumberbatch will reunite with his co-star Martin Freeman for the hotly anticipated fourth series of Sherlock in January.

The first episode in the new series is called The Six Thatchers, and sees Sherlock team up with Watson and his wife Mary – and their new baby.

Mark Gatiss recently told The Telegraph that the show will feature "the most proper dramatic incident we could possibly throw at [the characters]."

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