Doc Martin star Joe Absolom took issue with fans on Wednesday as he suggested they make the village of Port Isaac, ‘too touristy’, which is where the show is set.
The actor, 42, who plays Al Large on the ITV1 series, looked unfavourably upon tourists who visit the idyllic Cornwall destination to ‘have a look at the Doc’s house, have a pizza and leave.’
He revealed his family considered living in the once-quite fishing location, until it before a popular destination for Doc Martin fans
Unimpressed: Doc Martin star Joe Absolom took issue with fans on Wednesday as he suggested they make the village of Port Isaac, ‘too touristy’, which is where the show is set
Speaking to Cornwall Life magazine, the father-of-three said: ‘We looked at a house in Port Isaac but I’m glad we didn’t buy there because it is quite touristy.
‘Doc Martin has brought a lot of people to the village, rightly or wrongly.
‘There used to be galleries and quite well-to-do little village shops, and now there’s a volume of people that don’t want to buy a painting; they want to look at the Doc’s house, have a pizza and leave.’
The ITV comedy-drama features Doc Martin, played by Martin Clunes, after he moves from his bustling London practice to the sleepy Cornish town of Portwenn after being unable to perform vascular surgeon due to his fear of blood.
Sightseeing: The actor, 42, who plays Al Large on the ITV1 series, looked unfavourably upon tourists who visit the Cornwall destination to ‘have a look at the Doc’s house, have a pizza and leave’
His lack of social skills and bedside manner mean he struggles to fit in around the town, but he slowly earns the respect of the neighbours thanks to his success at tending to emergencies.
Joe, who played Matthew Rose in Eastenders from 1997 to 2000, has starred as the local plumber on the medical drama since 2004.
He currently resides in Trebarwith on the north coast of Cornwall, with his wife Liz and children Lyla, 14, Caspar, ten, and Daisy, seven.
Coming to an end: Doc Martin will come to an end in 2021 after 17 years on-screen, as ITV confirmed on Monday that upcoming 10th series will be its last
Doc Martin is expected to come to an end this year following the 10th series and 17-years on-screen.
In an official statement released last year, Martin, 59, and his producer wife, Philippa Braithwaite, 56, explained that they decided to end the drama to allow fans a chance to celebrate the show and it’s titular character with a final series.
They said: ‘We have loved making nine series of Doc Martin. When we launched the series in 2004 we could never have imagined how much our loyal viewers would take to the grumpy Doc like they have.
‘The series has avid fans both in the UK and throughout the world and we are thrilled that Doc Martin has topped the ratings every time.
‘However, after sixteen years we now feel that the time has come to say goodbye to Portwenn. We will be making the tenth and final series in 2021 and we are very much looking forward to returning to Cornwall to film it.’
ITV’s Head of Drama Polly Hill also paid tribute to Martin, Philippa and the hard-working production team and crew who produce the series.
She said: ‘I just want to thank Martin and Philippa and everyone involved in Doc Martin, because it’s a brilliant, beautifully made series that has delighted audiences for many years.
‘I am pleased that we are making series 10, and sad this will be the last, but respect their decision to bring it to a close.’
Moving on: Martin, 59, and his producer wife, Philippa Braithwaite, 56 (pictured in 2015) explained they decided to end Doc Martin to allow fans a chance to celebrate the show with a final series