Aidan Turner topless Poldark scything scene voted best TV moment of 2015

He set hearts a flutter in And Then There Were None over Christmas and now, Aidan Turner’s topless scything scene in Poldark has been named the public’s top TV moment of the year.

Radio Times asked more than 44,000 readers to vote for their favourite, with Poldark taking an impressive 45 per cent of the total, despite some scything experts insisting that the hero’s technique need not have been quite so intense to get the job done.

In second place with 43 per cent was Jay McGuinness’s Pulp Fiction-inspired jive with Aliona Vilani on Strictly Come Dancing. The Wanted singer earned the first ten from the judges before going on to lift the Glitter Ball Trophy.

Trailing in third came Peter Capaldi’s powerful anti-war speech from Doctor Who episode “The Zygon Inversion” with 3.4 per cent, with Ben Whishaw’s character Danny receiving his HIV test results in London Spy taking 2.8 per cent.

Completing the top five was another Doctor Who scene, the revelatory montage from penultimate episode “Heaven Sent”, with 1.5 per cent.

Readers were invited to choose one moment from a shortlist of 32, ranging from the funny and inspirational to the emotional and dramatic.

Aidan Turner’s topless scything – Poldark

Jay McGuiness's Pulp Fiction jive earns the first 10 of the series – Strictly Come Dancing

The Doctor’s anti-war speech – Doctor Who

Danny waits for his test results – London Spy

The revelatory montage from Heaven Sent – Doctor Who

Nadiya's winner's speech – The Great British Bake Off

Bobby Beale is revealed as Lucy’s killer – EastEnders

Miranda finally marries Gary – Miranda

Jo Joyner’s “How's Adam?” gaffe – EastEnders

Jon Snow's (possible) death – Game of Thrones

Tamwar explains the true meaning of Islam – EastEnders

The White Walkers attack Hardhome – Game of Thrones

The dinner party from hell – Doctor Foster

Andrew Neil's message to the Paris attackers – This Week

Robert's ulcer bursts all over the dinner table – Downton Abbey

Trixie admits she is an alcoholic – Call the Midwife

Daredevil dispatches a building full of bad guys in one take – Daredevil

A starving polar bear goes after a seal – The Hunt

Lance's murder – Cucumber

A reporter is moved to tears during his Paris bulletin – Breakfast

Ken's speech at Deirdre's funeral – Coronation Street

The elephant in the room – Top Gear

Anne Boleyn’s execution – Wolf Hall

Val's death after the helicopter crash – Emmerdale

Madonna's stage dive – The Brit Awards

Derek Shepherd dies – Grey's Anatomy

Steve Backshall’s whale watching freak-out – Big Blue Live

Claire Underwood tells Frank she’s leaving him – House of Cards

Don Draper’s smile – Mad Men

Sheila consoles Lance – Detectorists

Dermot’s 24-hour dance marathon – Sport Relief

A couple on different dates fall for each other – First Dates