Poldark producers have admitted they were surprised by the intense fan reaction to a shirtless Aidan Turner.
The TV bosses insisted they weren’t sure how fans would react to the Irish actor’s brooding good looks as they “didn’t audition him with his clothes off”.
“Honestly, we were pretty innocent about the shirt taking-off stuff…No really, Ross does it in the book, he goes swimming, he washes himself clean,” executive producer Damien Timmer said.
In demand: Aidan’s shirtless scenes have sent fans swooning
“And he’s a farmer and it’s very hot in Cornwall! Besides, we didn’t audition him with his clothes off,” he told Radio Times Magazine.
The producer’s comments came after viewers complained following Sunday night’s penultimate episode in the BBC1 series because Aidan kept his clothes on.
One outraged Twitter user wrote: “Ross just kept his shirt on for a whole episode of Poldark. I suspect a BBC editor will be looking for a new job tomorrow.
Angry: Fans were furious when Aidan kept his clothes on in last weeks episode
Another user joked about his wife who had been left “traumatised” by a fully clothed Poldark.
“Despite BBC1 warning before Poldark, my wife is traumatised by some of the scenes in which Aidan Turner kept his shirt on.”
The dramatic series has been renewed for a second series following massive ratings of eight millions viewers tuning in each week.
