Victoria: Drama pips BBC's Poldark as Prince Albert gets his Darcy moment
VIEWERS of Victoria were gripped by the raw emotion on Sunday night as Prince Albert cut open his shirt with a knife and placed Queen Victoria’s white rose corsage next to his heart as they danced.
It's the most romantic scene Mr Darcy stepped out of that lake
Now they reckon it is the most romantic TV scene since Colin Firth’s Mr Darcy stepped out of a lake in a clinging wet shirt and bumped into Elizabeth Bennet.
The tender expression of love came as Albert, played by 30-year-old Tom Hughes, sought to seal his match with the young monarch, played by Jenna Coleman.
And the romantic ploy works wonders – the besotted Queen later asks the Prince to be her husband.
The dramatic ballroom scene was a smash hit with viewers who took to Twitter to express their delight.
Television presenter Phillip Schofield said: “Cutting the shirt was a very good move Albert! You’ve got her heart.”
Emily Baah said: “They made Prince Albert do everything Darcy except walk out of a lake dripping wet!”
Albert cut into his suit to place Victoria's white rose corsage next to his heart
I want someone to look at me the way Albert looks at Victoria
Karen Price also wrote: “Who needs Poldark when you’ve got Prince Albert literally tearing his shirt open so he can pop on a corsage.”
And one viewer, named only as Charlotte, swooned: “I want someone to look at me the way Albert looks at Victoria.”
The chemistry between the two young actors – Coleman, 30, and Hughes have been friends for years – was palpable.
Viewers were captivated by the romance with hundred on Twitter during the action
The eight-episode series sees the former Doctor Who actress star as the young monarch inheriting the throne aged 18.
Its fourth episode on Sunday night saw Victoria’s unwavering affection for Prime Minister Lord Melbourne, played by Rufus Sewell, seriously challenged by the charming Albert, who arrives from Germany.
And the costume drama is also winning the ratings war with Poldark over on BBC1.
Poldark was just beaten by Victoria in the latest ratings war between ITV and the BBC
Figures yesterday showed last week’s series two debut of Poldark failed to dethrone the ITV period drama.
The Aidan Turner-fronted show was viewed by 6.65 million, including catch-up services, compared with 7.75 million for the third episode of Victoria.
On Sunday, the two lavish series faced off against each other again in the 9pm slot, with initial overnight figures showing an early lead for Victoria.
The lake scene in the BBC’s Pride And Prejudice in 1995, in which Darcy goes for an impromptu dip in his lake, before striding away in his clinging wet shirt and bumping into his future bride, has consistently topped polls to find TV’s most romantic scenes.