Benedict Cumberbatch

Benedict Cumberbatch

'Sherlock' fans' two-year wait to discover just how his death was faked ended last night in the first episode of the new series.

Millions of viewers tuned in to 'The Empty Hearse' to see just how Sherlock Holmes - who is portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch - managed to survive a rooftop "death" plunge, only for it to be revealed that he used a crash mat.

The cushion in question was hidden by an ambulance during Operation Lazarus, which was set up by Sherlock and his brother Mycroft Holmes (Mark Gatiss).

Following the tragic-looking fall, a team of special effects artists hired by Sherlock swiftly added fake blood to his face to make it look like a devastating accident had occurred.

The stunt even had his trusty sidekick Doctor John Watson (Martin Freeman) fooled thanks to a rubber ball concealed in his armpit which allowed him to briefly stop his pulse.

However, upon finding out Sherlock had faked his death Watson was less than impressed and joked he was going to kill him, to which the quick-witted detective responded: "That's so two years ago."

The series continues on BBC One at 9pm on Sunday (05.01.13).


by for www.femalefirst.co.uk
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