Confession time: the last time I saw an episode of Poldark was in the late 1970s. I don’t remember the first thing about it, other than the fact that the Poldark character was played by Robin Ellis. Why that name has remained with me ever since, I have no idea. If only I could remember important things. Anyway, Poldark is in the news again and for a very strange reason: the lead actor who is no longer Robin Ellis has taken his shirt off.
Aiden Turner, for it is he, is the new Ross Poldark and very good looking he is, too, and apparently the BBC used his shirtless body to plug a new series. And of course the gutter press has blown a moral gasket. Apparently, it’s highly offensive and sexist. I mean, really?
It’s an odd situation because it’s usually women who are on the end of this media stuff. Page Three, Grid Girls, strippers, pretty well the whole of Daily Mail online – it’s women who are “flaunting” their bodies for the alleged benefit of horny men. Or something. But times have changed, haven’t they?
Things have changed in an evolutionary way. Page Three had basically had its day. I cannot deny that I have, from time to time, enjoyed a glance at the “bare-breasted beauties” on Page Three, but its time came and went. It hasn’t exactly gone away – take a look at the internet – but in terms of the printed media, it was so yesterday. But then up pops Aiden Turner.
I’ll tell you honestly what I thought when I saw a topless Poldark and it wasn’t very interesting. I admired his good looks and sculpted body which, I must admit, bears little resemblance to mine. I am not offended, I am not jealous (although I wouldn’t mind being that fit and young), I am not bothered that Mr Turner is – how do I put this? – attractive to a large percentage of the female population and, probably, a significant section of the male population and I am not, in any way, threatened. And the last word is the most important. Threatened.
I may be wrong about this but I do not feel threatened by seeing Mr Turner’s half-naked body. I don’t think there is anything wrong with someone fancying him, topless or not. I do not see it as “ogling”.
“What if it was a woman posing topless to advertise a programme?” Sorry, but that’s whataboutery of the highest order. It wasn’t a woman posing topless, it wouldn’t be. Mr Turner doesn’t posses female breasts for one thing. It’s just different.
I know I’m not doing a particularly good job in explaining what I mean because I’m writing about shades of grey. I’m writing about how I feel, an opinion, a point of view. And above all, I am struggling because I don’t see it as any big deal.
Were Daniel Craig’s acting talents diminished when he emerged from the sea wearing a small pair of swimming trunks in a bond film? Was the Full Monty offensive to men? Need I go on?
For me, it’s a question of move along, nothing to see here. Good looking bloke takes off his shirt, women (and some men) find him attractive to look at and that’s it. If you are offended, please do not go to a beach anytime soon.
