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The latest episodes of Doctor Who have been criticised by one of the show's original directors for becoming 'too sexy'.

Waris Hussein directed the first episodes of the show, which starred William Hartnell as the Time Lord, in 1963.

Appearing with cast members including Peter Purves and Carole Ann Ford on Radio 4's The Reunion, he said there had been a "sea change" in the show and highlighted Jenna-Louise Coleman's character's romantic relationship with Matt Smith's version of the Doctor.

He said: "There is an element now, and I know we're living in a different era, of sexuality that has crept in.

"The intriguing thing about the original person was that you never quite knew about him and there was a mystery and an unavailability about him. Now we've just had a recent rebirth and another girl has joined us, a companion, she actually snogged him."

He said the Doctor should be "unavailable" like the character of Sherlock Holmes, saying: "Why bring in this element when in fact you needn't have it there?"

Purves, who became a Blue Peter presenter after a stint as the Doctor's companion Steven Taylor, said he agreed "totally" with Hussein and said storylines had become too complicated.

He said: "The original series was so simple. They were very straightforward, nice linear stories that one could follow."

The show's 50th anniversary is due to be celebrated with a special 3D episode which will see Smith joined by former stars including Billie Piper and David Tennant, who played the 10th Doctor from 2005 to 2010.

For more on what Whovians can expect for Doctor Who's 50th celebrations, read Matt Goddard's round-up .