Poldark's Aidan Turner is being driven barking mad by the show's "nuisance" dog.

Aidan Turner

Aidan Turner

The 34-year-old actor - who plays the programme's titular character Ross Poldark in the BBC's adaptation - has admitted he can't stand the series' pet pooch because he just yaps all day long on set and snaps at anyone who tries to comfort him.

Speaking to The Daily Star newspaper, he said: "I hate that dog. It is a nuisance. You can't pet him - he just bites all the time. I have never disliked an animal in life, but I don't like that dog. It's so hard working with him. He gets zero love from me on set."

Although he's not keen on the show's miserable canine, the hunk has fallen in love with the on-set horses and him and his co-star Eleanor Tomlinson - who plays his on-screen wife Demelza - like to race their equines when the cameras aren't rolling.

He said recently: "We race quite often and we're very competitive. Eleanor wins all the time, she has a better horse - it's just a faster horse.

"And she's a very experienced rider. Also she can beat me while being slightly hampered because she rides in a side-saddle and it's really hard to gallop with that.

"Seamus isn't happy about losing either."

However, Aidan could soon be beating Eleanor in the races because Seamus may have to be put out to pasture, much to the 34-year-old actor's disappointment.

He explained: "There was talk of my on-screen horse Seamus needing to retire as he is 17 now. I love Seamus, he's a real star and I have a huge attachment to him, but if he needs to retire..."