Sherlock series 4: Filming to begin spring 2016

Benedict Cumberbatch fans may have to wait a little longer than expected

Sherlock is nominated for Best Drama with lead star Benedict Cumberbatch up for Best Drama Performance at the NTAs 2015 (PA/BBC)

Benedict Cumberbatch fans hoping to see their idol back as Sherlock sooner rather than later will be left disappointed by co-creator Steven Moffat's latest announcement.

Speaking alongside producer Sue Vertue at the Bafta winner’s press conference, Moffat revealed that filming of the much-loved BBC drama would not begin until spring 2016, as reported by Digital Spy.

Moffat previously said of the upcoming series that fans should “expect tragedy as well as adventure” and that it would have a much darker tone.

In another interview the director added: “I do think our plan is devastating. We’ve practically reduced our cast to tears telling them the plan… we’re probably more excited than we’ve ever been about Sherlock.”

If you don’t think you can wait that long to see Sherlock and Watson reunited then worry not as a one-off Victorian special is set to air later this year.

Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman will travel back to the Victorian Age in the next Sherlock special (BBC)

Also at the Bafta awards, Cumberbatch failed to break his losing spree, missing out on winning an award for the fifth time in a row.

However, Sherlock went on to win the Radio Times audience award, the only prize voted for by the public.