<text>  His brooding good looks caught the attention of viewers in the programmes opening episode, and last night, Aidan Turner, star of BBCs Poldark, confirmed his status as the nations newest TV heartthrob. The 31-year-old actor, who plays tortured and dashing Captain Ross Poldark, stripped naked during the shows second episode, much to the delight of love interest Demelza - and legions of adoring fans. Hundreds of swooning admirers took to Twitter to share their excitement at seeing Turner, who starred in The Hobbit trilogy, take off his clothes before going skinny-dipping in the Cornish sea. Scroll down for video . Racy: Irish actor Aidan Turner, who plays tortured and dashing Captain Ross Poldark, set pulses racing when he went skinny dipping during last nights episode - the second in the BBCs new eight-part series . Perfect gift: One Twitter user took to the social network to express her admiration of Turners brooding looks . Iconic: This user compared the moment to Colin Firths lake scene from the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, in which the actor, as romantic hero Mr Darcy, emerges from the water in a soaking wet shirt . Swooning: Another viewer shared her thoughts on Poldarks skinny dipping, aired on the BBC last night . The racy moment has been compared to Colin Firths lake scene from the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, in which the actor, as romantic hero Mr Darcy, emerges from the water in a soaking wet shirt. But some viewers were left disappointed, saying the scene was too short. Based on Winston Grahams series of acclaimed novels, Poldark tells the story of Ross Poldark, an Army officer who returns to England after fighting in the American War of Independence to discover that his fiancee Elizabeth is engaged to his cousin after believing him dead. Successor to the crown: Turners Poldark went one better than Firths Darcy as he went completely naked . Taking a dip: Scenes showed him leaving his clothes on the beach before wading naked into the water . Admirers: The characters secret swim, right, was watched with delight by love interest Demelza, pictured left . Poldark then marries his maid, Demelza, played this time round by Eleanor Tomlinson, but is forever torn between the two women. The original series a feast of heaving bosoms and bodice-ripping played out on a backdrop of windswept Cornish landscapes attracted audiences of up to 15 million when it aired in the 1970s. And the BBCs new eight-part adaptation is scheduled for a post-watershed slot - promising viewers even steamier scenes. Going one better: While Mr Darcy stripped down to his shirt and breeches, Poldark removed all of his clothes . Hot and bothered: Hundreds of women were impressed with what they saw when Turner stripped down . In last nights episode, which saw ratings figures dip slightly on last week, Turner set pulses racing in scenes that showed him leaving his clothes on the beach before wading naked into the water. Twitter users took to the social media site to share their admiration, with a number commenting that shots of his physique made the perfect Mothers Day gift. One user named Katherine Jones posted: Thanks bbc for giving me Aidan Turners bare bottom for mothers day. Much appreciated! poldark. Love triangle: Poldark Turner seeks solace with Demelza Eleanor Tomlinson, pictured together following his return from the American war of independence to the woman he loves engaged to his cousin . Smouldering: With last nights episode, the 31-year-old actor confirmed his place as TVs newest heartthrob . Another wrote: Poldark Aidan Turner skinny dipping made my Mothers Day. One user named Layla Tango tweeted: If Poldark gets any hotter, well have to call the fire birgade!. Angela Thompson tweeted: Due to my temperature rising dangerously high whilst watching AidanTurner Poldark I may have to watch it whilst having a cold shower. Another tweeter wrote: Love watching Poldark because Aidan Turner. Naked. In the sea. Naked. And Liz Mordue posted: Ah, Poldark Aidan Turner couldnt smoulder any more if they set his jacket on fire. Loving this series. But some viewers were left disappointed, saying the scene was too short. Gytha Ogg tweeted: Are you kidding me Poldark - all that build-up and then polite twee distance-shots of naked swimming Aidan? Jeremy Good added: Poldark note to cameraman, need to zoom in and linger a little longer on Captain Poldark swimming. 