Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sherlock has been voted the world’s favourite BBC character

BENEDICT Cumberbatch’s Sherlock has been named the BBC’s favourite TV character in the world.

A global survey of 7,000 saw almost a third of people name the Baker Street detective as their favourite character.

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Doctor Who came second and Idris Elba’s detective Luther was third.

Benedict, 40, said: “Who would have thought a high functioning sociopath could be so popular with people all over the world.”

Sherlock, which has run for four series since 2010, also topped the survey of 7,000 people for the most memorable scene when he fell to his apparent death.

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The poll, which was carried out by BBC Worldwide Showcase 2017, took in viewers from Japan, South Korea, India, Mexico, Australia France, America and Germany.

Such is Sherlock’s popularity, the Abominable Bride outsold Star Wars: The Force Awakens in China and South Korea and more than a quarter of Japanese fans said they watched for the humour.

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In Mexico, 34 per cent said they tuned in for the British accent.

The fourth most popular character was Basil Fawlty and Top Gear’s The Stig came fifth.

Colin Firth’s Mr Darcy emerging from the lake in Pride and Prejudice in 1995 was voted the Beeb’s best period drama scene.