Sherlock actor’s letter to Mr Claus

BENEDICT Cumberbatch has written a letter to Santa Claus asking him to distract children “from the realities of a world gone mad”.

The Sherlock star asked Father Christmas for “a little more time for children to be children” and mentioned those who may be “hiding in buildings as bombs rain down”, in the note, which marked national letter writing day.

Cumberbatch also joked that he never did receive the lightsaber he asked for and promised to leave out extra port and mince pies.

The letter is part of Letters Live, a celebration of the power of literary correspondence.

Cumberbatch wrote: “This is what I’d like to ask you to help with. A little more time for children to be children. Stretch the moment of magic and playfulness.

“Distract them from... a world gone mad so that they can laugh... rather than sob. Especially those caring for family members, or suffering illness, hunger or poverty.

“Especially those hiding in buildings as bombs rain down, or being handed shaking with fear or cold into a boat to escape environmental disaster or war. Please help to light up their worlds with a moment of joy and hope.”

Speaking about adults, he said: “Now we get our own presents, control our own fates, take responsibility for our own actions, and live in the world we have created ... so it’s not for us to turn around and plead for your help...

“Though God knows we need all the help we can get...”

Cumberbatch, a father of one, added: “You are for the children. Children who need some magic in a world where the borders between innocence and responsibility, playful imagination and cold, adult obstacles are continually shrinking.”

He went on: “Spare a thought for those millions who want to write to you but through illiteracy can’t... Help to give them the time and chance to learn how to read and write so they can better their lives”

Other big names to have penned letters to Santa include Annie Lennox, Russell Brand, Thom Yorke and Thandie Newton.

Letters Live is at Freemasons’ Hall in London next March.