Swashbuckling Poldark star Aidan Turner has viewers swooning with his shirtless and skinny-dipping scenes in the BBC One period drama.
And now the 31-year-old star has let slip the secret to his newfound sex symbol status... baby oil.
Speaking to Katie Glass for The Sunday Times Magazine about his new role as the rugged Captain Ross Poldark in the series remake, Turner explained: "I just didn't see Poldark having a beer belly or being out of shape, given his lifestyle.
"In my next role, I want to grow a beard and put on loads of weight."
On all the legions of loyal fans Turner now has now accrued, he continued: "It's very sweet, very flattering. But to be fair, a lot of it's to do with the character. It's a romantic genre: Poldark's just that type of guy."
The Irish star also admitted to using "some kind of baby oil", "eyeliner" but definitely no mascara for some of the smouldering scenes.
What to Read Next
Discussing the attention his toned torso has garnered from viewers, he added: "I don't think about it. It's strange, I mean, would it be the same if it was a female lead role and she had a bikini scene on the beach?
"Would the papers show it the same way? Would the audiences feel the same? It's all light-hearted and kind, but would it be the same?
"I don't mind. It's fun and the tabloids can have the craic."
And discussing whether his actress girlfriend Sarah Greene gets jealous about all the female attention he's receiving, he said: "She finds it funny. Because it's ridiculous, isn't it?
"We don't take ourselves too seriously."
Poldark continued to exceed 6 million viewers with its fourth episode, according to overnight figures for Sunday (March 29).
The eight-part series continues on Sunday night (April 6) at 9pm on BBC One.
Naomi Gordon is news writer mainly covering entertainment news with a focus on celebrity interviews and television.
