SUSSEX’S Benedict Cumberbatch has been name checked amid claims that acting is becoming elitist.

Former Doctor Who star Christopher Eccleston has warned that working-class actors are finding it tougher than ever to make it.

The actor, 51, warned that British culture had become bland because of the dominance of actors from privileged backgrounds in the industry – including the likes of Benedict Cumberbatch.

Cumberbatch was a student at the £20,000 a year Brambletye prep school in East Grinstead.

He said: “You can’t blame Eddie Redmayne, Benedict Cumberbatch and others taking their opportunities but it will lead to a milky, anodyne culture. To an extent that’s already happened.

“British society has always been based on inequality, particularly culturally. I’ve lived with it, but it's much more pronounced now, and it would be difficult for someone like me to come through.”

He added: “I confess I don't watch much film or television drama but I’m aware of the predominance of white, male roles.

“It’s not just about the working class. There’s not enough writing for women or people of colour.

“It frustrates me when they insist on doing all-male Shakespearean productions – a wonderful intellectual exercise, maybe, but it's outrageous because it’s putting a lot of women out of work.”

Veteran actress Julie Walters, The Walking Dead star David Morrissey and Call The Midwife star Stephen McGann have complained about a shortage of young actors emerging from poorer backgrounds.

But a new Brighton stageschool is fighting to tackle elitism.

Youngstar TV & Film Acting Schools launch at Brighton and Hove school at Brighton Aldridge Community Academy and Portslade Aldridge Community Academy this month.

Director Bill Baxter said: “Youngstar has been giving bigger and better opportunities than at the top drama schools in London where they don’t make TV programmes for students to cut their teeth and don’t even get them an agent which, ask any actor, is the hardest thing once qualified.”