Benedict Cumberbatch cross-questions fans who take photos without asking.
The star has won over viewers worldwide with his title role in BBC show Sherlock and in films such as August: Osage County and Star Trek Into Darkness.
While he's flattered by the attention, the 38-year-old struggles to deal with invasions of privacy.
"People asking [for a picture] is nice. But when people just go [he imitates someone sneakily holding up a camera phone, dropping his jaw to the side], and they do generally do that mouth, then I’m guns-blazing. I cross-question them," he admits to the British edition of Elle magazine.
"They’re like, 'What, what are you talking about? I haven’t taken your picture.' And I’m, 'Then let me see your phone.' And they’re like, 'No, I’m not showing you my phone,' and I’m, 'Well don’t f**king take a photograph of me then.'"
It might be understandable that Benedict doesn't want to be papped at all times. But sometimes he worries he's been a little harsh.
"There are times when I’m completely fine with it, and other times I’m, 'Actually I’m with someone you’re totally ignoring and standing on while trying to get a photo of me, and this is not the right time.' Then they walk away and I think, 'God, am I an a**ehole? Should I be accessible all the time?' But I think, 'Not really,'" he contemplated.
The star went to a single-sex school and his first experiences of kissing girls were while drunk at parties. He developed a real crush while in the choral society, imagining them living a fantasy life together and writing poems to one another. In real life however, they only spoke briefly.
"I remember making tentative inroads and my hand brushing her hand, and – f**k – it was so charged, 'Is she thinking what I’m thinking? Is that possible?' You know, wonderful, wonderful romantic feelings, and yet to bridge that was achingly impossible," he recalled fondly.
Benedict was linked to theatre director Sophie Hunter in September, and while he hasn't confirmed the romance he is planning his future already. He hopes, in 30 years, to have a family to share his memories with.
