John Barrowman cut from new Doctor Who adventure after ‘inappropriate’ behaviour
John Barrowman plays Captain Jack Harkness, everyone’s favourite omnisexual space pirate (James Pardon/BBC)
John Barrowman has been axed from an immersive theatrical Doctor Who experience after he was accused of exposing himself by former co-workers.
The actor was set to make an appearance as Captain Jack Harkness in the theatrical adventure experience, due to open on 26 May in London, but producers backtracked after he admitted to “tomfoolery” on the set of Doctor Who and Torchwood.
In a statement, the production company said: “Immersive Everywhere has taken the decision to remove [John Barrowman’s] pre-record from Doctor Who: Time Fracture.
“We will continue to include content that pays tribute to the brilliant show that is Torchwood so as not to disappoint its fans, and are working on an exciting storyline to be announced soon.”
John Barrowman admitted that ‘hurt may have been caused’ by his behaviour
Allegations that John Barrowman exposed himself on set first emerged after actor Noel Clarke was accused of sexual misconduct by 20 women. He denies all of the claims.
Those allegations led to the unearthing of a 2015 video in which Clarke said Barrowman would “take his d**k out every five seconds” on the set of Doctor Who. In the clip, he asked co-star Camille Coduri if she remembered the time Barrowman “put it on your shoulder in the makeup truck”. She replied: “Yes, I do.”
People who worked on the set of Doctor Who and Torchwood told The Guardian that Barrowman’s behaviour was “inappropriate”, but stressed that he was never sexually predatory.
In a statement released to the newspaper, John Barrowman said his “high-spirited behaviour” was “only ever intended in good humour to entertain colleagues on set and backstage”.
He said he had come to understand this actions upset co-workers, but insisted that his actions were not sexually charged.
“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 said.
“Since my apology in November 2008, my understanding and behaviour have also changed.”
Julie Gardner, a producer on Doctor Who, told The Guardian that she “met with John and reprimanded him” after receiving a complaint about his on-set behaviour in 2008.
“To my knowledge, John’s inappropriate behaviour stopped thereafter,” she said.
In 2008, Barrowman was forced to apologise after he exposed himself during a live BBC Radio 1 show.
“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 Barrowman said at the time.
