The 39-year-old star said no one found him sexy until he starred in the lead role on the detective series, reported OK! magazine.
"I was never seen as sexy by anyone until 'Sherlock' came along and so I understand (being seen as a sex symbol) more as a reflection and appreciation of the work, rather than my own natural magnetism...
"I've always maintained that Sherlock is sexy and people are merely projecting his cold, brilliant, charming, flawed self onto me," Cumberbatch said.
"He is the ultimate outsider hero," Cumberbatch said.