Since the writer took over Doctor Who from Russell T Davies there have been complaints that the plots have become too complicated.
However Moffat used an interview with BAFTA’s Guru site to slam his detractors, accusing them of “a weird backlash” and of being “fairly stupid people”.
He told the site: “There’s been a weird backlash among, I presume, fairly stupid people about the fact the shows are complicated and clever, but they’re both huge international hits,”
The former Coupling writer added: “We make no apology. Don’t expect to do the ironing; sit down, pay attention and think about it. Audiences like complexity. They follow intricately plotted soap operas all the time. It depresses me when people say, ‘It’s all far too clever.’”
Moffat will be presented with a special award at Sunday’s BAFTA Television Awards.