Years ago, 11 to be exact, Benedict starred as student Rory Slippery, the son Paul Slippery, played by Hugh Laurie, who was a doctor facing a mid-life crisis. Look how young he is!

Despite the fact that this was a fairly small part in the screen adaptation of David Nicholls' Your Starter For 10, Cumberbatch was very amusing as the angry post-grad, Patrick Watts, who heads up the University Challenge team, with James McAvoy as his sort-of nemesis.

In 2007, the film Atonement hit the screens, Benedict Cumberbatch played the role of Paul Marshall, who may or may not have raped a young teenage girl (played by Juno Temple), who he then goes on to marry.

At the Asprey Pre-Bafta party, in 2009.

On stage for After The Dance play at The Lyttleton Theatre.

At the BAFTA Television Awards with his then long-term girlfriend Olivia Poulet. She also starred in the first series of Sherlock and also starred as spin doctor Emma Messinger BBC’s political satire The Thick of It.

At the premiere of Tamara Drewe, he's unfathomably holding a plastic sheep, wearing a straw hat, and a shirt so unbuttoned, even Simon Cowell would be embarrassed. (We still love you Benedict).

On stage with Johnny Lee Miller, here Benedict plays the part of the Creature, while Miller plays Victor Frankenstein. Throughout the run, which took place at The Royal National Theatre, the men swapped around the role. The men also shared both the Olivier Award and London Evening Standard Award for Best Actor.

As part of the film adaptation of the popular play, Benedict played Maj. Jamie Stewart.

In Wreckers, David (Benedict) is married to Dawn (Claire Foy), who are trying for a baby. However, when they move back to the Kent village, where David is originally from, his brother's return ignites sibling rivalry, revealing that the village, and David, aren't quite what they seem.

Still from Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.

'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' film premiere at the 68th Venice Film Festival, Venice, Italy.

At the Princes Trust Rock Gala at the Royal Albert Hall. Not sure about that hat, mind. Or scarf come to think of it.

At the Moet British Independent Film Awards. Lovely suit.

That time Benedict hung out with Anna Wintour at The Fifth Estate screening after party at the Cinema Society, New York.

At the Star Trek Into Darkness film premiere, London, Britain.

At the The Fifth Estate film premiere, Toronto International Film Festival, Canada.

Film still from The Fifth Estate, in which Benedict plays Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.

Benedict with his Sherlock co-star Lara Pulver at the BAFTA LA Tea Party, Los Angeles, America.

Film still from the Oscar-nominated film August: Osage County with co-star Julianne Nicholson.

Movie still from Star Trek into Darkness.

Filming of Sherlock TV series on location in the City of London.

After appearing on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, New York.

Filming Sherlock again. See Martin Freeman's even in the picture too.

At the 86th Annual Academy Awards Oscars, Vanity Fair Party, Los Angeles. COME HOME SOON BENEDICT.