John Barrowman: why has the actor been dropped from Doctor Who: Time Fracture interactive exhibit?

It has been announced that John Barrowman (Doctor Who, Torchwood) has been removed from a new immersive Doctor Who theatre show following allegations about his past behaviour.

This is everything you need to know.

Why was John Barrowman dropped from the exhibit?

Barrowman has been accused of repeatedly exposing himself on the set of both Doctor Who and Torchwood.

In an article published by The Guardian, two female crew members claimed that Barrowman made them uncomfortable, and on a “regular basis” would expose himself behind the scenes.

One woman said: “He’d just sort of have his balls hanging out of his trousers or something, which he just thought was really funny.”

The other said: “Sometimes he’d call me into his dressing room, and I would knock on the door and he’d say, ‘Oh, look at this’, and he’d just have his willy out, standing in the doorway.

“It was just kind of accepted that it was his thing.”

In a video that has recently resurfaced filmed at Chicago Tardis, an American sci-fi convention in 2014, Doctor Who co-star Noel Clarke, who has also been accused of sexual harassment on the Doctor Who set by a number of women, said that Barrowman would often expose himself and “slap” his genitals on colleagues.

In the video, Clarke said: “Barrowman was there taking his dick out every five seconds.”

He turns to his co-star Camille Coduri and asks: “Do you remember that time he put it on your shoulder in the makeup truck?”

She replies: “Yes, I do.”

Julie Gardner, an executive producer on Doctor Who and Torchwood told The Guardian that she received a complaint in 2008 about Barrowman’s behaviour on the set of Doctor Who spinoff show Torchwood.

She said that she met with Barrowman and “reprimanded him”, adding that she also spoke to other executive producers, Barrowman’s agent and also the head of BBC drama commissions, in order to “make it clear to both John and his agent that behaviour of this kind would not be tolerated”.

What did Barrowman say about the allegations?

After the allegations were initially made, Barrowman’s lawyers claimed that the actor “did not recall” the incidents in question.

Barrowman acknowledged the allegations and issued an apology for what he called “high-spirited behaviour” and added that his actions were “only ever intended in good humour to entertain colleagues on set and backstage”.

In a statement given to The Guardian, Barrowman said: “With the benefit of hindsight, I understand that upset may have been caused by my exuberant behaviour, and I have apologised for this previously.

“Since my apology in November 2008, my understanding and behaviour have also changed.”

In 2008, Barrowman apologised for his conduct on a BBC Radio 1 broadcast, saying that he had gone “too far”. During the BBC Radio 1 interview, Barrowman pulled down his trousers.

At the time, Barrowman said: “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.”

Barrowman has not yet responded to the news that he has been dropped from the Doctor Who live show.

What will happen to his character in the show?

Since Barrowman has been dropped from the show, his character, Captain Jack Harkness, will also be removed.

The actor had previously recorded a video that was set to be broadcast during the Immersive Everywhere event.

Under the FAQ section of the Doctor Who: Time Fracture website, it states: “Immersive Everywhere have taken the decision to remove this pre record from Doctor Who: Time Fracture.

“We will continue to include content that pays tribute to this brilliant show that is Torchwood so as not to disappoint its fans, and are working on an exciting storyline to be announced soon.”

Will Barrowman still appear on Dancing on Ice?

Barrowman joined the judging panel for ITV programme Dancing on Ice in 2020, with his future on the show now up in the air.

An ITV spokesperson said that no decision about his position has been made yet.

They said: “Dancing on Ice is not in production at the present.

“As such, on screen talent won’t be attached for the forthcoming series until closer to the time.”

What is Doctor Who: Time Fracture?

Doctor Who: Time Fracture is described as “a groundbreaking Immersive Theatrical Adventure” which “plunges you into the incredible universe of Doctor Who”.

The immersive theatrical experience will place Doctor Who fans in the heart of a new storyline.

Doctor Who: Time Fracture will feature more than 40 live performers, and takes audiences to the year 1940 during the Blitz where a mysterious weapon destroys a small corner of Mayfair and opens a rift in space and time.

The show will open on 26 May and tickets are available for purchase online, starting at £49.95. The venue is situated in London, at Unit HQ, 1-8 Davies Mews, London, W1K 5AB.