Benedict Cumberbatch has sent a heartfelt tribute to a Sherlock fan’s family after having to miss her funeral because of filming the show.

Eve Shepherd, 14, died earlier this month from breathing difficulties after having 200 operations during her life following her premature birth.

She had been a huge fan of Sherlock, which Oscar nominee Benedict stars in, and mourners at her funeral wore deerstalker hats in tribute to her with the BBC show’s theme tune being played as they left the service, according to the Daily Mirror.

Sherlock Martin Freeman Benedict Cumberbatch
Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch star in Sherlock (BBC)

In an open letter to her family, Benedict wrote: “I send my deepest sympathies to Eve’s family. To lose someone so young who fought for her health all her life must be beyond endurance.

“I hope they can take solace from the fact that she was clearly much loved and her support of our show is hugely appreciated and shall be remembered.

“I wish I could be there but sadly I am filming the show she loved. God rest her soul. With all my love and sympathies, Benedict xxx.”

Eve’s dad Mark said: “Eve would find this funny as she was a big TV and film fan. She’d be so happy about the letter from Benedict, she was a huge fan.”