Shirtless scything scene was not a publicity shot, reveals Poldark star

Image was originally a behind-the-scenes photo but makeup artist was airbrushed out, says Aidan Turner

His shirtless scenes in BBC One’s Poldark turned him into a national heart-throb and became some of the most memorable moments in TV history.

But Aidan Turner says the image of his bare-chested, scythe-wielding physique was not supposed to be a publicity shot.

The 39-year-old said he cannot look at the image without thinking of the hair and makeup designer Jacquie Fowler, who was in the original behind-the-scenes photo.

Fowler was captured covering up a tattoo that Turner got on a holiday in Tenerife some years ago but was later Photoshopped out of the image.