Benedict Cumberbatch is thinking of moving from Great Britain to live in America.

The 36-year-old actor - who was educated at the top private school Harrow - says he is sick of attacks on his privileged background. The Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy star, whose parents were actors, said that "all the posh-bashing that goes on" made him consider moving to the United States.

"I wasn't born into land or titles, or new money, or an oil rig," he said. But Benedict said that he had been "castigated as a moaning, rich, public-school bastard, complaining about only getting posh roles." He continued, "It's just so predictable ... so domestic, and so dumb... It makes me think I want to go to America."

The star - who is to play an Edwardian aristocrat in BBC1 period drama Parade's End, said he enjoyed becoming a pin-up after Sherlock. "It puts a bit of a spring in your step. It's nice, you swagger a little bit, it's enjoyable. I've punched well above my weight this year. And that remains very much a secret ... I find it hysterically funny ... It's a giggle. I wield it with a massive smile," he admitted.