'Sherlock' writers had to rewrite scenes involving a dog because the pooch "wouldn't move".

Steven Moffat

Steven Moffat

Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, the brains behind the popular BBC crime drama, were forced to rewrite scenes for the upcoming series on the spot after the bloodhound they had hired to assist the super sleuth - played by Benedict Cumberbatch - refused to co-operate with the director's demands.

Speaking to The Mirror newspaper, Steven, 55, said: "It was an immobile dog. Me and Mark wrote a new scene on the street because the dog wouldn't move. It was just sat there like an ornament."

Mark, 50, added: "The people that tell you they can train animals are liars. We got there with this bloodhound and it wouldn't do a thing."

Meanwhile, 40-year-old Benedict - who is joined in his adventures by Doctor John Watson, played by Martin Freeman - said the owner of the pooch warned them that the dog wasn't a fan of "pavements" or "people".

He said: "She said 'well the dog doesn't like pavements or concrete or people or busy streets or open spaces'."

And whilst the bloodhound might not want to offer an award-winning performance, Benedict is confident his portrayal of the famous detective is headed in the right direction.

He said: "He is becoming slightly more responsible for his actions. He is very much becoming more of a human being."

The rewritten scenes starring the immobile pooch will be shown during the first episode of the new series, which airs on New Year's Day (01.01.17).

Elsewhere, it was recently revealed that the final episode of 'Sherlock's fourth series - entitled 'The Final Problem' - will be shown in over 300 cinemas when it airs in January 2017.

'Sherlock' producer Sue Vertue said: "Fans clearly enjoyed the opportunity of watching 'The Abominable Bride' in cinemas last time so Hartswood Films are thrilled to be working with BBC Worldwide again to do the same for this series four finale."

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