Benedict Cumberbatch says staying at home amid the coronavirus pandemic has been “an absolute delight”.

Benedict Cumberbatch

Benedict Cumberbatch

The ‘Doctor Strange’ star has been able to spend more time with his family - including his wife Sophie and their two children, five-year-old Christopher, and three-year-old Hal - due to the recent lockdowns, and says he feels “fortunate” to have been able to do so.

He said: “It was an absolute delight to be ensconced with them in nature and nurture. That was a great blessing for me. I’m very aware that’s a very fortunate position to be in.”

Benedict has also been using lockdown as a chance to exercise more, and shut down the idea that many people have been putting on weight and being lazy amid their months at home.

He added: “I don’t know about that generalisation. I think a lot of people have really hit the pavement with their shoes, or gone on a bicycle or gone on walks and been outside in nature. You had Spring here when it hit and I think lot of people took their health very seriously for obvious reasons but also the opportunity to exercise.”

And speaking about his own workout routine, he told Magic Radio: “I did train. I was working out for a job so it was very structured as well. Just super easy, just a walk in the park when you have someone telling you what to do, it’s remarkably easy. Self-motivation is by far the hardest thing to overcome I think when it comes to any kind of exercise really.”

Meanwhile, the ‘Sherlock’ star previously opened up on his top tips for parenting, including taking “me time” away from his brood, and sleeping “when they sleep” to avoid going “utterly insane”.

He said: “I now know why my father took a broadsheet paper to the bathroom every morning. I get it Dad, I get it. Now you have to take all your devices with you so you can get your office work done as well. I’m sure it’s very hygienic.

“Sleep when they sleep, make sure you can build some napping into your day, and then you won’t go utterly insane.”