It still makes me giggle that I'm paid to act.

My first agent dissuaded me from calling myself 'Cumberbatch.' I had six months of not very productive time with her, so I changed agents. The new one said, 'Why aren't you using your family name? It's a real attention-grabber.' I worried, 'How much is it going to cost to put my name in lights?' But then I decided that's not my problem.

I was the boy that turned a girlfriend into the most celebrated lesbian on television. I got so much stick for that.

I really cannot get over the generosity of our Tibetian teacher. He said, "Don't punish yourself. You're going to be a student at a university in the north of England. You need to have your experiences and have your fun, and not judge yourself. Don't live in guilt and regret."

We should have a conversation when we hang up.

When are you ever settled enough to have kids?

It's the same thing, I think, whether it's breathing or meditation or yoga. And running is a great way of doing it.