British actor Benedict Cumberbatch sent a heartfelt letter to be read out at the funeral of a 14-year-old fan this week (beg23Feb15).

The Sherlock star wrote a note in honour of Eve Shepherd, who died after battling long-running health problems her whole life.

Her funeral took place on Monday (23Feb15), and her idol Cumberbatch sent a letter to be read out during the service at Padgate Methodist Church in Warrington, England.

In the letter, Cumberbatch stated, "I send my deepest sympathies to Eve's family. To lose someone so young who fought for her health all her life must be beyond endurance. I hope they can take solace from the fact that she was clearly much loved and her support of our show is hugely appreciated and shall be remembered. I wish I could be there but sadly am filming the show she loved. God rest her soul."

Shepherd's father Mark tells the Warrington Guardian newspaper, "She would be so happy about the letter from Benedict - she was a huge fan."