Benedict Cumberbatch, the acclaimed actor and vocal environmental campaigner, has found himself at the centre of a hypocrisy storm after using a private helicopter for a casual social call. The Sherlock and Doctor Strange star, a noted Greenpeace ambassador, made the high-carbon journey to a friend's country estate in Devon, seemingly at odds with his public pleas for Hollywood to adopt sustainable practices.
A High-Altitude Invitation
The incident occurred as Cumberbatch was flying over Devon at approximately 10,000 feet. Spotting the large home of his personal assistant—affectionately nicknamed 'Flynikins'—below, the actor spontaneously sent a text message asking, 'Anyone in?' He then proceeded to land the helicopter directly on the estate's manicured lawns, where he was reportedly greeted with a cup of tea.
This mode of transport is particularly contentious given its environmental impact. Helicopters emit around 20 times more carbon per mile than a standard car, a stark contrast to the plant-based, vegan lifestyle Cumberbatch has publicly championed since 2017.
Championing Change vs. Personal Choices
Cumberbatch's environmental credentials are well-documented. He has protested with Extinction Rebellion campaigners and used his platform to lecture the film industry on its 'grossly wasteful' habits. Just last year, he specifically urged studio bosses to 'think about transport' and criticised the pervasive use of plastic water bottles and catering waste on sets.
He has previously acknowledged the hypocrisy often levelled at celebrities who advocate for climate action while maintaining lavish lifestyles. This recent helicopter trip, however, provides a clear example of such a contradiction, leading critics to question the sincerity of his advocacy.
Other Celebrity Snippets
In other celebrity news, Liam Gallagher has purchased a £4 million property in the Cotswolds, complete with a gypsy caravan, sparking speculation he may follow David Cameron's lead in using it as a writing retreat.
Meanwhile, Emma Barnett, presenter of Radio 4's Today programme, has revealed she drinks a nightly dram of whisky, such as Talisker or Glenlivet, to ward off flu, quipping she feels like a '65-year-old Scottish man'.
And in a twist of vanity, George Clooney was spotted purchasing a £335 anti-ageing cream at Hermetise in Soho, despite recently claiming he doesn't 'give a fig about ageing' at 64.
Cumberbatch's representative was approached for comment on the helicopter journey. The episode serves as a reminder of the intense scrutiny facing public figures who promote environmental causes, where personal actions are inevitably weighed against public pronouncements.
