What Does Benedict Cumberbatch Want For Christmas?

Find out: the Sherlock star has penned a note to Santa Claus

We know what Benedict Cumberbatch wants from Santa Claus - and he doesn't think small. 

The Sherlock star, along with other well-known entertainment industry names: Annie Lennox, Thandie Newton, Thom Yorke and Russell Brand have shared their festive wishlists and reflected on everything they have to be thankful for in handwritten notes to Saint Nick. 

Cumberbatch, who became a father this year wrote: 'You are for the children. Children who need some magic in a world where the borders between innocence and responsibility, playful imagination and cold, adult obstacles are continually shrinking.

‘This is what I’d like to ask you to help with. A little more time for children to be children. Stretch the moment of magic and playfulness. Distract them from the realities of a world gone mad so that they can laugh with their breath rather than sob with their tears. Especially those caring for family members, or suffering illness, hunger or poverty. Especially those hiding in buildings as bombs rain down, or being handed shaking with fear or cold into a boat to escape environmental disaster or war. Please help to light up their worlds with a moment of joy and hope.’

Thandie Newton wrote: 'My request is that you let Mrs Claus come this year. Yes, your silent partner. I know she's the force that keeps you full of beans. You wouldn't be so jolly, energetic and kind without the presence of a woman in your life.'

Annie Lennox asked Santa to 'ensure that entire generations aren't forced to flee their homes in cities, towns and villages in war torn countries from Syria to Nigeria because they are being continuously bombed, burned and brutalised at every turn'. 

Thome Yorke requested Father Christmas 'consider not giving any presents to oil company executives and the politicians whose influence they buy'. 

Russell Brand thanked Santa for 'Jeremy Corbyn, Charlotte Church and the new series of Peep Show'.

Letters of Noel is commissioned by the brains behind Letters Live (a series of letter reading events). Letters Live is inspired by Shaun Usher’s international best-selling Letters Of Note, an online archive of correspondence, now also a bestselling book.

See the letters in full at LettersLive.com