Benedict Cumberbatch has admitted he used to use his middle name Carlton as his surname.
Benedict Cumberbatch
Stating that he thought his family surname 'Cumberbatch' sounded like a "fart in a bath", he didn't think it could ever catch on if he became famous, so used Carlton - also his grandfather's moniker - until his agent convinced him otherwise.
Speaking in Los Angeles to film critics whilst promoting his new movie The Imitation Game, The Sun newspaper quotes him as saying: "I started off as Benedict Carlton, which is my middle name, my grandfather's name.
"Cumberbatch sounds like a fart in a bath ... It is even funnier in an English accent. But an agent who was wiser than me told me it was a good name.
"People have had fun with it and they continue to!"
As well as now using his real surname, Benedict admitted that his interest in Buddhism has paid a large part in his success.
"I did teach in Tibet when I was younger. I was teaching English to Tibetan Buddhist monks at a monastery.
"I was in quarters with spiders. I was interested in Buddhism and I am still... very much so. It is very helpful."
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