Benedict Cumberbatch has had his own set of ‘Cumberb*tches’ for a while now but the Sherlock star has recently had to call the police and security experts over a female stalker who has taken it a bit too far. The actor, who is currently playing the title role in the West End’s Hamlet, has increased protection after the woman left red ribbons at the home he shares with his wife Sophie and their baby son.

Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie HunterThe star's stalker has been to the home he shares with his wife and young son

Security at the Barbican - where Cumberbatch is undertaking the iconic Shakesperian role - has also been beefed up in the wake of the intrusion.

The obsessed fan is said to have made several trips to the star’s home - once leaving ribbons tied to the family car and another to a window of the house.

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It’s possible that they are referring to Arthur Conan Doyle’s first Holmes’ novel, A Study in Scarlet, which was the first story that Cumberbatch took on in the BBC One adaptation.

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A source close to the actor said: "Benedict wants to be safe rather than sorry.

"He’s spoken to the police and now he’s just making sure every precaution has been taken. He’s also had a quiet word with the theatre management."