John Hannah - Hannah Defends Sex-filled Spartacus Show

The Four Weddings and a Funeral star plays Quintus Lentulus Batiatus, the owner of an ancient gladiator academy, who is shown romping with his onscreen wife Lucretia, played by Lucy Lawless.

The show has come under fire from some critics who claim TV bosses are relying on fight scenes and saucy shots to boost ratings, but Hannah insists it is the great writing which keeps viewers hooked.

He tells TV host Kate Garraway on Britain's Lorraine morning show, "The storylines... sex sells, yeah sure, violence is great to watch now and again, but if there's no story people wouldn't watch it every week. There's a great story and I think the writers are fantastic."