Sherlock and Moriarty are 'absolutely obsessed with each other', confirms Andrew Scott

The actor has also spoken about the amusing erotic fan fiction he receives

Adversaries: Benedict Cumberbatch (left) as Sherlock Holmes and Andrew Scott as Jim Moriarty in the ‘Sherlock’ series-two finale ‘The Reichenbach Fall’ (BBC)

The saucy fan fiction created by lovers of hit detective drama Sherlock has long been a talking point, but now Andrew Scott, who plays villain Moriarty, has come out in support of it.

The Irish actor, 37, told gay lifestyle magazine Attitude that he finds the erotic, often explicit, stories entertaining.

“Oh my god, it’s the drawings and the photos!” he said. “It’s mostly women doing it. You’re put with quite an array of different people. I think it’s done by librarians.”

Scott, who is openly gay, described his character’s relationship with Benedict Cumberbatch’s supersleuth as “very interesting”.

“Well, they are absolutely obsessed with each other,” he said. “There has to be a line. In the words of Erasure, I love to hate you.”

Fans were excited by news that Sherlock will return to the BBC in late 2015, despite having to wait for fresh episodes due to Hollywood demand for the leading actors.

In the forthcoming series, Sherlock will face nemesis Moriarty again after his shocking reappearance at the end of the last finale.

Producers have promised fans the “most shocking and surprising series yet” but further details remain tightly under wraps.

Read the full interview with Andrew Scott in the latest issue of Attitude, out on 20 August