Fans may have to wait five years for more Sherlock, says Steven Moffat

Steven Moffat has claimed fans may have to wait "four or five years" for more Sherlock.

The TV scribe, who writes the show with Mark Gatiss, teased avid viewers of the hit BBC One crime drama, suggesting they could be in for a long wait to discover how villain Moriarty - played by Andrew Scott - is still alive.

The criminal mastermind, who was believed to have killed himself at the end of series two, reappeared following the credits of last month's third series finale.

Steven said: "That was in the cutting room ... Mark just decided we would use a little bit of it. It was just a final little treat really just to wind people up.

"I was as surprised as anyone when he turned up. He was definitely dead. You can't fake shooting yourself in the face. The back of his head came off.

"I don't know what is going on. I can't wait for four or five years until we make the next episode."

Meanwhile, Sherlock stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman revealed that a gay club scene was cut from Watson's stag party in the latest series.

Martin told fans during a panel at the Apple Store in London's Regent Street: "There was the gay club scene. Why didn't that get in? We got mullered in a gay club and all these topless guys were going by."

Benedict added: "[Sherlock] had no idea why we were there and what it was, and they were all walking past and then I realised."