I DID consider housing a Syrian asylum seeker, says Benedict: Sherlock star who famously launched a foul-mouthed rant over the Government's refugee figures says he can't take any in because he has a baby

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Benedict Cumberbatch claims he and his wife, theatre director Sophie Hunter, 39, considered taking in Syrian refugees

Benedict Cumberbatch stunned his audience when he delivered a foul-mouthed rant after his Hamlet performance at the Barbican, blasting the Government for agreeing to accept only 20,000 Syrian refugees over five years.

Now, two years after the outburst, the Old Harrovian claims he and his wife, theatre director Sophie Hunter, 39, were so committed to the cause that they considered housing refugees in their £2.7 million Hampstead home — but decided against it.

‘People were saying, “You’ve got a home, why don’t you house refugees?” And we did look into it.

‘But we had, then, a very new baby — maybe four or five months old,’ explains the Sherlock star, 41, referring to his oldest son, Christopher. 

‘Maybe people had a point. I understand why some might think I should be housing people instead of complaining about a government not doing it.

‘But I was trying to raise awareness that we can do more as a society. Because I do feel we are able to do more than just recovering bodies.’ 

Speaking to the Big Issue, the tireless thespian, now also a father to six-month-old Hal Auden, admits that despite the backlash he received for his nightly diatribes, he would do it again.

‘I’m a human being and it was a human crisis and I got over-excited and said things in a rather grand manner some nights,’ he adds.

‘You stick your head above the parapet and that happens.

‘But we raised money for children in need.

‘So I don’t regret doing it for a second, and I will do it again, even if it does put me in the firing line.’

Cumberbatch attacked the ‘utter disgrace of the British Government’ for not doing enough just four months after receiving a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

He shocked audience members as he shouted: ‘F*** the politicians!’ while pleading with them to leave donations in buckets to alleviate the crisis.

Pass the smelling salts! A very exotic Girl In Pearls

For 120 years, Country Life’s ‘Girls in Pearls’ page has featured a portrait of a young lady making her entrance into society.

This week, however, the hunting, shooting and fishing set’s magazine has taken an exotic turn.

The ‘posh pin-up’ features Anna Coreth, a burlesque dancer, the ‘art’ form dismissed by some as modern-day striptease.

Country Life’s ‘Girls in Pearls’ this week features Anna Coreth, a burlesque dancer, the ‘art’ form dismissed by some as modern-day striptease

‘Anna is a London-based musician, aerialist and burlesque dancer,’ Country Life announces solemnly, below this portrait of her suspended from a hoop wearing a see-through dress.

A major’s daughter and a Durham University graduate, Miss Coreth, 24, is better known as Miss Scaramouche. With her modesty protected by a few sequins and tassels, she performs athletic dances that would put an acrobat to shame.

New Gucci style top's too late for Countess

Former model Laura Montagu caused a stir in 2007 when she became the first divorcee to marry an heir to the Duke of Devonshire.

So the Countess of Burlington, as Laura is now known, was amused to see a model, parade down the catwalk for Gucci in Milan this week wearing a sweater emblazoned with the warning words: ‘Never marry a Mitford.’

Her husband Bill, who will inherit the magnificent Chatsworth estate in Derbyshire, is the grandson of Deborah ‘Debo’ Mitford, one of the society sisters who were the (much more classy) Kardashians of their day.

Sharing a photograph of the sweater with friends, Laura remarked: ‘What we’re going to be wearing in Derbyshire next summer.’

The Gucci sweater is thought to have been inspired by a handmade one that Deborah’s husband, the 11th Duke of Devonshire, used to wear as a joke.

So the Countess of Burlington (far left) was amused to see a model, parade down the catwalk for Gucci in Milan this week wearing a sweater emblazoned with the warning words: ‘Never marry a Mitford’

Steptoe creator left widow £3.7million

Steptoe And Son co-creator, Alan Simpson, left a £3.7million legacy to his widow, Tessa Le Bars

They picked up scrap in their horse-drawn cart, but rag-and-bone men Steptoe And Son made a fortune for their writers. 

The sitcom’s co-creator, Alan Simpson, died in February at the age of 87, and probate documents now show he left a £3.7million legacy to his widow, Tessa Le Bars.

The writer, who also co-wrote Hancock’s Half Hour, left royalties from his books, screenplays and other work to Tessa, who was previously his manager. His first wife, Kathleen, died in 1978.

Simpson wrote Steptoe with Ray Galton, whom he met while they were treated for tuberculosis at Milford Sanatorium in Surrey as teenagers. 

They began writing for the hospital’s radio station and went on to pen scripts for stars including Peter Sellers, Leonard Rossiter and Frankie Howerd.

He may need divine intervention to win Strictly Come Dancing but pop star-turned-priest the Reverend Richard Coles is enjoying his stint on the BBC1 show.

‘Am I embracing the spray tan?’ asks the former Communards pin-up.

‘Absolutely! I had an intensive briefing: for a very pale clergyman, it is recommended starting with 6 per cent. The professionals crank it up to 20 per cent, but I’d look like I’d fallen in creosote.’

No one could ever accuse theatrical knight Sir Kenneth Branagh of hiding his lamp under a bushel.

Not only does the Wallander detective direct the forthcoming new film adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Murder On The Orient Express, co-starring Dame Judi Dench and Penelope Cruz — the actor also takes the role of legendary detective Hercule Poirot.

And now I learn that Branagh, 56, has also recorded a new audiobook version of the bestseller which is to be released next month.

Even Poirot’s little grey cells might detect a hint of egomania.

Thrice-divorced chef Antonio Carluccio admits he never wants to marry again, despite being happy with girlfriend Sabine Stevenson. 

‘We are very happy, but I don’t think I will ever get married again,’ he tells me. 

‘In the last six years we’ve never had one bad word, and probably if we got married, that’s when the trouble would start. I know from experience.’ 

Pippa Middleton’s brother-in-law Spencer Matthews, 29, recently told me he’s ready to start a family with girlfriend Vogue Williams. Now, the Irish model reveals that the lovebirds are taking their relationship to the next level.

‘We are definitely moving in together,’ confirms Vogue, 31.

‘I never lived in his place. That’s something I read — “Vogue’s moved into Spencer’s place”. He lived in a one-bedroom apartment! I need a whole room for my clothes alone.

‘I never lived in his apartment, but we are getting our place together.’