Cumberbatch refused Who role

Benedict Cumberbatch, star of the critically-acclaimed series Sherlock, revealed that he had considered the role of the Doctor, but turned it down.

The Sun reports that Cumberbatch spoke to Tennant about the opportunity but decided not to pursue the role, which was eventually given to Matt Smith.

"And anyway I didn't really like the whole package - being on school lunchboxes." He said.

Sherlock, written and created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, opened to 7.4 million viewers.