Benedict Cumberbatch proved real-life Sherlock Holmes in kidnapping ordeal in South Africa

LONDON, UK (Jan 12) – Sherlock Holmes star Benedict Cumberbatch found himself in a scary real-life drama when he was kidnapped at gunpoint almost 7 years back.

Benedict Cumberbatch proved real-life Sherlock Holmes in kidnapping ordeal in South Africa

 Mr Cumberbatch, who has won masses of fans in the hit BBC series based on the stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, was filming the mini-series ‘To The Ends of the Earth’ in St Lucia on the northeast coast of South Africa near Mozambique when he confronted with a kidnapping gang armed with guns.

Sharing the story of his kidnapping with the Daily Star; the 35-year-old Cumberbatch, who is currently filming The Hobbit in New Zealand, admitted he thought he would die.

Scratching his memories Cumberbatch told the newspaper that he had been travelling back to his hotel after learning scuba-diving and he was accompanied by the actress Denise Black and a South African friend when they were attacked after their car blew a tyre.

A gang of six kidnappers struck as they were trying to change the tyre, forcing them into a car before driving off, he continued his story. 

"They said: 'Put your hands on your head, don't look at us,' and were frisking us for drugs, money, weapons. Then they bundled us into the car," he said. 

I could see the headlight beams bumping over the dirt track and I thought of shallow graves. 

"By the end of the night I was tied up next to Denise." 

When the gang stopped, they forced Mr Cumberbatch into the boot of the car.

He said: "But I argued my way out," he said. "I said: 'If you leave me in here, it's not the lack of air, it's the small space. There's a problem with my heart and my brain.' 

"I just tried to explain to them: 'I will die, possibly have a fit, and it will be a problem for you. I will be a dead Englishman in your car. Not good.' 

"They shut the boot and had an argument, and then pulled me out." 

He added: "I kind of thank God I had the presence of mind to give them the idea that it would be better to keep me alive. And the other two hadn't been harmed. 

"It taught me that you come into this world as you leave it, on your own. It's made me want to live a life slightly less ordinary."