Benedict Cumberbatch was moved to tears when he discovered an “extraordinary” connection to his grandfather in Running Wild with Bear Grylls: The Challenge.
The actor, 46, navigated the terrain on the Isle of Skye in Scotland with the adventurer, 49, as they raced down huge sea cliffs and braved icy waterfalls.
The TV presenter, who is a former Special Forces soldier, asked for a favor from the British Royal Navy during the show and surprised Benedict by connecting him with some of his past with a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The Navy sent a nuclear submarine to meet the pair offshore for their extraction and when the submarine surfaced, Cumberbatch became emotional and had to wipe tears from his eyes.
Benedict’s grandfather was a World War II submariner who had an extraction mission aboard a British Royal Navy nuclear submarine that surfaced off the Scottish Isle of Skye.
Emotional: Benedict Cumberbatch was moved to tears when he discovered an ‘extraordinary’ connection to his grandfather in Running Wild with Bear Grylls: The Challenge
‘So moving’: Benedict, whose grandfather was a World War II submariner, was treated by Bear and Britain’s Royal Navy by being taken off shore by a nuclear submarine
He said, “I feel connected to my grandfather in an interesting way and it’s very moving. I’m tearing now.
“My grandfather has been playing in my mind for the past few days and I felt a very direct connection with him. And to see the submarine really was an “Oh my God” shock moment.
‘It was amazing. I was so touched. The past few days have been extraordinary, what an experience.’
Bear added, “It was a very special moment, the best extraction we’ve done on a journey on any show of any season.”
The British adventurer also taught the The Imitation Game actor unique survival skills while they camped in the wilderness of Scotland.
The pair were seen kayaking across icy waters and trying new foods from the land.
During the preview, the Doctor Strange star admitted that the duties “are not like doing a stunt on a Marvel movie, it’s a lot more real.”
Benedict also reflected on being an only child and how he found it “difficult” to fit in and socialize while growing up.
Family: Fighting back tears, Benedict said, “I feel connected to my grandfather in an interesting way and it’s very moving. I’m in tears now’ (pictured Benedict’s grandfather in 1934)
He added: ‘My grandfather has been playing on my mind for the past few days and I felt a very direct connection with him. And to see the submarine was very much an ‘Oh my God’ shock moment’
Explaining why he often plays outsiders, he said, “I think outsiders tend to, I don’t know, just discover something a little more unusual, interesting.”
“But maybe it’s because I felt like being a bit of an only child myself, not really knowing how to fit in at first, I found socializing quite difficult.”
Benedict, who has three sons, Kit, seven, Hal, six, and Finn, four, with wife Sophie Hunter, revealed the values he instills in his children.
He said, ‘Be kind and respectful. Those are the most important, core values that I want them to have.’
Bear was “impressed all along” by Benedict’s skills, especially as they filmed the show in winter when Scotland had “brutal” weather conditions.
He said, “It’s like he’s never played a part.”
Adventurous: The British actor navigated the terrain on Scotland’s Isle Of Skye with Bear as they raced down massive sea cliffs and braved icy waterfalls
Amazing: During the preview, the Doctor Strange star admitted that the duties “are not like doing a stunt in a Marvel movie, it’s a lot more real”
Impressive: The adventurer taught the actor of The Imitation Game unique survival skills
Opening: During the show, Benedict reflected on being an only child and how he found it “tricky” to fit in and socialize while growing up
Freezing: The pair were spotted kayaking across icy waters, camping in the cold winter weather and trying new foods from the land