Benedict Cumberbatch has said that he enjoyed getting the chance to fight Tom Hardy in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.

The British pair exchange blows in the adaptation of John Le Carre's spy novel, and the Sherlock star admitted that it will perhaps be the only chance he gets to take a 'pop' at his co-star.

He told the Press Association: "It was very enjoyable.

"He wanted me to hit him harder and I had to point out that I needed my hands for the rest of the day. Because he can take a bit of punishing Tom.

"And it's probably, let's face it, the only time I'm going to get to really have a proper pop at him, in his current form. So it was good fun."

Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy is currently on general release.

Great cult movies...