We're well used to comparing their rather different takes on Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes but what do Benedict Cumber bacth and Jonny Lee Miller have to say about each others' performances on the small screen in Sherlock and Elementary respectively?

Well, we all know Jonny's a big fan of Benedict's work but it wasn't until this week that the man who's essentially taken over the TV with his interpretation finally opened up about his good pal Mr Miller's role in Elementary."I watched it... it's great. It's watching an actor I really like playing a part I really like and enjoy playing," Cumberbatch told Digital Spy. "And to see him relishing it in similar ways is fantastic. I think he's doing a wonderful job."

The gang went to to ask what it was like attempting to out-Sherlock his friend, a question which Cumberbatch handled in his typically elegant fashion: "There are 78 of us all vying for the position, out-Sherlocking one another" he explained. "So we're in good company." How nicely put.

Meanwhile Martin Freeman, whose character is actually played by a woman in the States, couldn't offer up much as regards Lucy Liu's portrayal of Watson because he's never actually watched the show. "I haven't and that's not a snubbing" he began, "it's just because I haven't seen most shows from anywhere."

"I wish them the best of luck, I think she's great" he added, "I think Jonny Lee Miller is really good."

Catch brand new Sherlock on BBC One on New Year's Day at 9pm