Benedict Cumberbatch shares his bewilderment at being branded a sex symbol as he admits to 'worrying about ageing' in candid confession

Benedict Cumberbatch shared his bewilderment at being branded a sex symbol as he admitted to 'worrying about ageing' in a candid new interview with Variety. 

The actor, 48, who became admired after his role as Sherlock Holmes, said that he doesn't consider himself to be a 'typical movie star.'

The series, which is set in London, ran four seasons for a total of 15 episodes between 2010–2017, and also featured Martin Freeman as Dr. Watson. 

Following the conclusion of Sherlock, Benedict has been seen in many high-profile projects, notably starring as Doctor Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 

Speaking in his cover story for the latest edition of Variety, he said: 'I’m not Brad, I’m not Leonardo, I’m not a typical movie star. People were scrambling for "Why is he at all attractive to us?"

'But for me to guess and try to understand that is so f***ing weirdly navel-gazing. I’m not sitting around thinking, ‘Why am I sexy? I worry about myself in the mirror as I age, like every other f***er does.'

Addressing if Sherlock could return in the future, he continued: 'It would take it to be better than it ever was. You leave them or yourselves wanting more. 

'There’s always that itch to scratch, but I think it would have to be the superlative version of what we’ve already achieved.' 

Benedict recently stripped down to a towel to play a chief executive named Benedict Lumberjack for an advert highlighting the role of pension funds in fossil fuel projects.

The Sherlock actor can be heard saying 'I'm so hot right now' while he sits in a sauna and watches the world's forests burn in a campaign video created on behalf of the group Make My Money Matter.

Lumberjack encourages people to not 'change a thing' and to 'keep your pension cash pouring in' because it will benefit people like him and 'keep the fires of profit burning'.

'The business of deforestation is on fire and it's all thanks to you,' the character says.

'We've taken billions of your hard-earned pounds and used them to fuel our exploits through the Amazon and beyond.

'The money from your pension has helped scorch, slash and burn entire rainforests, and our profits are growing like, well, wildfire.

'Some parts of the world are literally burning, but you know, it's just the bits that nobody cares about.

'Look, if you can't stand the heat, get out of the rainforest.'

The advert, created by agency Lucky Generals and directed by Sophia Ray, aims to increase public awareness of the role of the UK pensions industry in financing companies that help to drive the climate crisis.

Research from the campaign group found UK pension schemes invest around £88 billion in fossil fuel companies.