Earthshock: Part Four

I find it difficult to comprehend the disparaging remarks, even the out-and-out vitriol, which have been expressed by numerous posters on this site towards the character of Adric and, particularly, the actor who portrayed him. Personally, I found him very memorable as the Doctor's youngest companion and (yes!) the sometimes annoying boy genius. My only reservation was that, as happens fairly frequently for various reasons, he was three years or so older than his character. I can't help wondering whether this disdain for him is at least partly rooted in the actor's homosexuality, which probably wasn't common knowledge at the time but which he has since stated openly and proudly.