'It just shows she's confident': New assistant Karen Gillan defends her short skirts in sexed-up Doctor Who



So far we've seen her raise a few eyebrows in a mini-skirt and battling aliens in a soaking wet shirt.

But Karen Gillan today defended criticism that Doctor Who producers were 'shamelessly sexing up' the long-running sci-fi show.

The model-turned-actress, 22, appeared on This Morning where she spoke about her new role telling hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield that the sexy looks are all part of the show.

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After Holly Willoughby told her 'We think you’re the sexiest companion there’s been!, she said: 'She wears lots of short skirts…and it got a few column mentions! It’s interesting, it’s part of the plot and it’s not that bad.'

Following her debut at the weekend, Miss Gillan's appearance was labelled 'slutty' by a small section of fans who objected to her first appearance on screen in a policewoman's outfit with a tiny skirt.

In one scene her character tells the Doctor, played by Matt Smith, that her kissogram repertoire also includes nuns and nurses' outfits.

[caption] No mini skirts here: Karen wore a more demure look for her appearance on the show



Gillan grew up in Inverness but moved to London to join the Italia Conti academy in London. During her first year she landed a role in Rebus.



She previously defended the mini skirt in the Big Issue.

'I mean, look down most high streets and girls Amy's age wear that. It's not that weird.

'Short skirts show that Amy is confident and comfortable about her look. You have to have confidence to wear something like that.'



Raising eyebrows: Karen Gillan in character, left, and, right, pictured at a photocall in Manchester to launch the new series of the show

And, this coming Saturday, her character Amy Pond, is seen battling aliens in a shirt that becomes sheer when she gets soaked.

No doubt, certain factions will accuse the show's producers of turning it into some kind of wet T-shirt competition.

Gillan also described the secrecy that surrounded her audition process.

Drenched: The Doctor, Matt Smith, and his assistant Amy Pond are soaked to the skin after a terrifying encounter with a creature called The Beast Below

She revealed: 'I couldn’t tell main reception why I was there, I had to go there and tell them that I was going there for something called Panic Moon which is an anagram of Companion.

'And then I wasn’t allowed to tell any of my family or friends that I was auditioning and then I had to keep it a secret when I got the role which was quite agonising!'

'To keep it from my mum – who is one of the biggest Doctor Who fans for two weeks was tough - I was allowed to tell her but decided against it, because I think she would’ve burst.

'She would’ve told somebody, she even has the Dalek bubble bath! But I just remember her face when I told her I got it…it was a picture, it was amazing.'

Doctor Who is on BBC1 on Saturday at 6.15pm