"Cumberbitches Name Sets Back Feminism" Says Cumberbatch

Benedict Cumberbatch has admitted that he's not comfortable with the name his female fans have chosen for themselves - 'Cumberbitches'.

The actor told Ellen Degeneres on her talk show that he thought perhaps his fans should come up with a more empowering collective noun, suggesting their current fave sets back feminism.

The Sherlock star said: "It’s like trying to squeeze a confession out of me getting me to actually say that word, because I squirm a little bit about it.

"I definitely didn't [come up with it]."

He continued: "That's part of my problem with it. I just went: 'Ladies, this is wonderful. I'm very flattered, but has this not set feminism back a little bit? Empower yourselves if you're going to get silly about a guy with maybe a little bit more of a sort of, you know, a high-regard, self-regarding name!'"

But proof that Cumberbatch really can't do wrong, his fans just shrugged off his rather sweetly-put criticism: “They wrote back and were like well we didn’t mean any harm to feminism we’re just having a little bit of fun with your name.”

A self-proclaimed feminist, it's not the first time Cumberbatch has addressed the name - previously suggesting his fans might prefer Cumberfolk, Cumberbubbies or even Cumberbabes, which is a 'bit softer, don't you think?'.

He also proudly wore the Elle Magazine and Fawcett Society 'This Is What A Feminist Looks Like Tshirt, as part of the brands' campaign last year.

But some have questioned why Cumberbatch should have a feminism-based problem with his fangurl name? What's unfeminist about calling yourself a bitch?

Victoria Sadler on Huffington Post took issue with Cumberbatch's issue, saying: "How a woman defines herself is her prerogative - and hers alone. If a woman wants to call herself a bitch, in this case the inference being that they want to be submissive, she can do that and still be a feminist.

"This is all rolled up into the good feminist/bad feminist debate but the fact is, a woman can be emancipated and be submissive."

Though brave is the man who tries to define feminism, we're pretty sure Cumberbatch's heart was in the right place. But if you want to be a Cumberbitch, you go for it.

[Food vs Sex: Sometimes You SHOULD Pick A Side]
[What NOT To Do If You've Been Cheated On]