The mystery of Sherlock's missing shoulder

"Watson, I think my shoulder may be over there?" - Sherlock's shoulder mysteriously vanished in a promotional photo. Photo / Twitter

BBC officials rushed to alter a promotional Sherlock picture after fans of the TV drama were left reeling over Benedict Cumberbatch's shoulder, which appeared to be missing due to an editing blunder.

Series producer Sue Vertue uploaded the photograph on Twitter.com on Tuesday to promote the upcoming 2015 special of the mystery TV series.

It featured Martin Freeman as Dr Watson and Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes dressed in top hats and Victorian-period clothing, which is unusual for the modern-day drama.

#221back #Sherlock #notkidding pic.twitter.com/Lx6q8DZ2aV

— sue vertue (@suevertue) November 25, 2014

However, most fans noticed that Cumberbatch's shoulder seemed to have been cut off and they began speculating whether the blunder was a photo-editing mistake or a hint about a future show.

The image was quickly re-edited so the error was hidden behind Freeman and the BBC's official Twitter account published the new photo.

Sherlock writer/actor Mark Gatiss laughed off the mishap, writing, "Based on the lost story 'The Adventure of the Missing Shoulder'... "

An air date for the currently untitled special has not been announced.

- WENN