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John Barrowman was once a prime-time staple, even performing for the now-King and Queen at the Royal Variety Performance.
But work has dried up for the Scottish-American star in recent years, he says, after allegations of sexual harassment dating back to as early as 2008 surfaced.
The stage and screen performer had just completed his first series as a judge on ITV’s Dancing On Ice in 2021 when reports of historic complaints against him arose, prompting him to lose the gig.
Speaking to WalesOnline earlier this month, John revealed his career had suffered even more in the years since, as he said: ‘It’s been devastating – to the point I was blackballed. I can’t get into a room for an audition or a meeting anymore.’
Desperate to rehabilitate his ailing image, John, 57, revealed in September that he was going on tour in his one-man ‘stand up with music’ show Laid Bare.
But despite hopes the tour would kick-start his return to the limelight and win over fans, ticket sales are struggling – with some dates even selling seats for free.
John Barrowman was once a prime-time staple, even performing for the now-King and Queen at the Royal Variety Performance (Pictured with King Charles in 2006) – but work has dried up for the star after allegations of sexual harassment dating back to as early as 2008 surfaced
Speaking to WalesOnline earlier this month, John revealed his career had suffered even more in the years since, as he said: ‘It’s been devastating – to the point I was blackballed. I can’t get into a room for an audition or a meeting anymore’
Once a TV favourite, John peaked in 2006 when he opened the Royal Variety Performance with a rendition of Feelin’ Good set in a 1940’s nightclub, accompanied by backing dancers, in front of the then-Prince Of Wales and Duchess Of Cornwall.
Two years later he returned to the Royal Variety Stage at the London Palladium to again perform for Charles and Camilla.
Among his prime-time gigs included competing on the first ever series of Dancing On Ice as well as a Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special – and of course as Captain Jack Harkness on Doctor Who and spin-off Torchwood.
But John’s world came crashing down in 2021 when he was accused of flashing cast members on the sets of Doctor Who. He issued a public apology in May 2021 after the claims emerged.
He also apologised for an incident in 2008 after he exposed himself live on BBC Radio 1 and undid his trousers.
John issued an apology at the time, admitting it was ‘light-hearted’ banter that went too far and promised to not do it again.
‘I apologise for any offence I have caused. I was joining in the light-hearted and fun banter of the show and went too far. I was wrong to do this and it will never happen again,’ John added.
‘I really appreciate the great support I have received from the BBC over the last few years and would never intentionally do anything to undermine the integrity of the corporation.’
The stage and screen performer had just completed his first series as a judge on ITV’s Dancing On Ice in 2021 when reports of historic complaints against him arose, prompting him to lose the gig
Desperate to rehabilitate his ailing image, John, 57, revealed in September that he was going on tour in his one-man ‘stand up with music’ show Laid Bare
The incidents came to light in a resurfaced video on YouTube from 2014 and filmed at sci-fi convention, Chicago Tardis.
The actor added he can now see his behaviour was ‘juvenile’ and it would not be something he would do today.
In an interview with Weekend magazine, John said his behaviour on set was to ‘defuse awkwardness’ whenever he was filming a sex scene in Torchwood.
He said: ‘As Captain Jack Harkness I was the star of Torchwood, so I felt it was down to me to lead the company and keep them entertained. When I was doing a nude scene or a love scene it was clear in the script I’d be naked and everyone would have known about that at least 48 hours in advance.
‘So I’d be waiting in my trailer wearing just a robe with a sock over my “parts”. Then, if I were standing waiting to film a scene where I needed to be nude and someone came into view, I’d make a joke to put them and myself at ease.
‘My actions were simply designed to defuse any potential awkwardness among the cast and crew.’
He added: ‘I’ve never been someone who’s embarrassed about his body so it didn’t bother me if anyone saw me naked. The motivation for what I’d call my “tomfoolery” was to maintain a jokey atmosphere. There was absolutely nothing sexual about my actions and nor have I ever been accused of that.’
The actor described his actions as ‘tomfoolery’ that he’d ‘never do now’, but slammed critics, who he said sought to portray his actions as ‘sexual harassment’.
No charges were brought against the media pe
rsonality after allegations about him exposing himself were revealed following more serious allegations of sexual harassment against his Doctor Who co-star Noel Clarke.
When the allegations emerged in 2021, John issued a statement saying: ‘My high-spirited behaviour which was only ever intended in good humour to entertain colleagues on set and back stage has been well-documented, including in my autobiographies and even in song.
Once a TV favourite, John peaked in 2006 when he opened the Royal Variety Performance with a rendition of Feelin’ Good set in a 1940’s nightclub, accompanied by backing dancers, in front of the then-Prince Of Wales and Duchess Of Cornwall
Among his prime-time gigs included competing on both Strictly Come Dancing and the first ever series of Dancing On Ice – and of course as Captain Jack Harkness on Doctor Who and spin-off Torchwood (Pictured)
‘There were a couple of times during filming where I’d resort to tomfoolery, but none of this was ever intended nor interpreted as being sexual in nature.
‘With the benefit of hindsight I understand that upset may have been caused by my exuberant behaviour and I have apologised for this previously.’
He was later dropped from Dancing On Ice after pressure from figures including the Tory MP Alec Shelbrooke, who said it would be wrong to include him on a ‘family show’ as this could be seen as ‘condoning’ his past behaviour.
Despite being sacked from Dancing On Ice, John controversially still appeared on All Star Musicals, another ITV show. He was also forced to cancel his Centre Stage tour due to poor ticket sales.
In September, three years on, the star was announced as competing on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins – where he had been tipped to relaunch his TV career.
But he was branded ‘pathetic’ by viewers as he quit the show just 32 minutes after arriving at base camp, and was seen vomiting before throwing in the towel.
In an interview with The Sun, John claimed his sickness was a result of being ‘made’ to eat ‘vile tofu’ after being offered no other food. John, who is not a vegetarian or vegan, said: ‘I would never eat tofu in my life, but you’re so hungry, you just eat it’.
Take two of his comeback was his tour which kicked off in October and featured songs and stories from his life.
He also promised to talk honestly about his damaged reputation following the accusations that he repeatedly exposed himself.
But tickets for the second date of the 2025 half of the tour in Tunbridge Wells Assembly Halls Theatre in Kent on February 5 – only two weeks away – are on offer with the seat price being free.
In September, three years on, the star was announced as competing on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins – where he had been tipped to relaunch his TV career
Sales site Show Film First says it is only charging its ‘Access Fee’, which covers ‘our reasonable costs of providing access to the tickets and administering the booking website’, but nothing extra for the ticket price
The theatre’s own direct site shows ticket prices should be £42, £37 or £32, before the extra charges are applied
Sales site Show Film First says it is only charging its ‘Access Fee’, which covers ‘our reasonable costs of providing access to the tickets and administering the booking website’, but nothing extra for the ticket price.
The theatre’s own direct site shows ticket prices should be £42, £37 or £32, before the extra charges are applied.
On Monday, its seat map showed whole rows of seats still available – with only 18 out of 310 sold in the cheapest £32 tiered stalls. Less than half the £37 stalls tickets were sold – with, in total, only just over 300 seats of the near 1,000 capacity theatre reserved.
John hoped his tour, which is in the middle of a two-month break, would herald a comeback.
Ahead of the tour, John claimed recently that ’99 per cent of the things that were said about me were bulls***’.
He said: ‘If I was naked on set it’s because it was written into a script, and if I was wiggling it or being stupid it was to make myself feel comfortable because I’m standing there stark b****ck naked.’
John also sings on the 46-date tour – with a mix of Broadway classics and contemporary songs.
He now lives in Palm Springs, California, with his husband Scott Gill and his parents who have recently moved in.
