Julio Olmedo and Alicia Alarcón

So many plots, from Doctor Who to Homeland, Sherlock and Lost to Fringe, would be much improved by ditching the love interests altogether

When the Doctor shared a kiss with his newest companion this Christmas, my response was not "Aahh" but the distinctly unimpressed "Oh". My disappointment was nothing to do with Jenna-Louise Coleman's performance as young governess Clara Oswin Oswald but because I am fast growing tired of the notion that every show needs a sprinkling of romance to make our hearts beat faster. Some of them, I can't help thinking, would be much improved by ditching the love interests...