Keira Knightley has admitted she’s a bit scared of Benedict Cumberbatch’s devoted fans.

The British actress got to see the actor’s followers – who are known as Cumberbitches – in action after starring alongside the Sherlock star in The Imitation Game, and jokingly confessed that she was terrified.

A picture of Keira Knightley and Benedict Cumberbatch at a premiere
Keira Knightley said Benedict Cumberbatch’s fans are a bit scary (Evan Agostini/AP/Press Association Images)

She said on America’s Late Night show: “It’s terrifying. I mean, they’re lovely. I feel terrified saying they’re terrifying cause they might come after me. So… yes, it’s amazing!

“They’re very artistic! They paint pictures of him. You go to premieres and there’s these amazing paintings of Ben looking Ben-like… [They're] a very hysterical, sensitive, artistic type.”

Keira revealed she wasn’t as in demand as the Sherlock star when they walked the red carpet at the London premiere of the film.

She explained: “I actually had a really embarrassing moment at the London premiere, because – they really do – they scream more than I’ve ever heard for anyone else, but I had a publicist with me and she went, ‘You know, go sign some autographs.’ I went over there and went ‘Oh yeah, of course, of course, no problem!’ And they were like, ‘Oh no, we don’t want you. We’re just here for Ben’.”

Check out the trailer for The Imitation Game below.