Benedict Cumberbatch to be honoured at the British Independent Film Awards

The actor will pick up The Variety Award in recognition of his achievements to help focus the international spotlight on the UK

Benedict Cumberbatch will be honoured at the BIFAs (Getty Images)

Benedict Cumberbatch will receive a special honour at this year’s British Independent Film Awards.

The actor will be given The Variety Award in recognition of his achievements to help focus the international spotlight on the UK.

The Variety Award, which is given to directors, writers, producers and actors, has previously been awarded to Jude Law, Kenneth Branagh, Liam Neeson, Sir Michael Caine, Dame Helen Mirren and Richard Curtis.

Cumberbatch will receive the award following the nationwide release of The Imitation Game, in which he plays WWII Enigma code breaker Alan Turing.

The film is nominated for four British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs) including best British film, best screenplay, best actress and best actor.

Cumberbatch said: “I am delighted to receive this prestigious award and would like to thank Variety and The Moet British Independent Film Awards for this incredible honour.

“It is made even more special by the recognition of The Imitation Game in this year’s nominations, a film I am very proud to be part of.”

Aside from the actor’s Oscar-tipped role in the Alan Turing biopic, Cumberbatch has appeared in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, August: Osage County, 12 Years A Slave and The Fifth Estate.

His starring performance in BBC drama series Sherlock has also helped him garner thousands of fans worldwide, who call themselves ‘the Cumberbitches’.

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Review: The Imitation Game