If this one turns out to be true, the sound you might well be hearing now is Peter Jackson lecturing his Hobbit lead Martin Freeman about the dangers of letting secret plans slip. Because at the BAFTA TV event last night, Freeman apparently revealed that Sherlock co-star (and Holmes himself) Benedict Cumberbatch will also show up in Jackson’s latest dip into JRR Tolkien’s universe.

Neither Jackson or the studio has released any official confirmation yet – which isn’t surprising given that both were likely hoping to keep things under wraps – but since it comes from Freeman’s own gob and when asked about it, Cumberbatch couldn’t comment directly, it sounds like we can expect to see him in the film(s). As to what he’s playing? Well, that at least seems to have remained a secret, though he definitely has an Elvish look about him, even without make-up and fake ears.

"I knew I was a big mouth, I didn't know how much of a big mouth, and I've ruined everything,” said Freeman backstage at the event after scooping Best Supporting Actor for Sherlock. And now I might not have a job to go back to!" Coming in 2012: The Hobbit starring Ian Holm via de-aging CG trickery and Martin Freeman as Third Tree From The Left In One Scene!