John Barrowman Breaks Silence on Career-Threatening Scandal from ‘Doctor Who’ Days
John Barrowman has opened up about the lack of support he experienced during a scandal that he says nearly ruined his career. The actor, best known for his role as Captain Jack Harkness in Doctor Who and Torchwood, has largely stayed out of the spotlight in recent years after allegations emerged that he had exposed himself to co-workers on the set of the iconic sci-fi series.
In 2021, ITV announced Barrowman would no longer serve as a judge on Dancing On Ice, a decision that coincided with the resurfacing of the flashing allegations. Witnesses claimed the incidents were inappropriate pranks rather than predatory behavior, but Barrowman faced public backlash and professional consequences.
In a recent interview with The Mirror, Barrowman expressed his deep disappointment in the lack of support from those he thought he could count on. “I lost a lot of trust in other people after what I went through because people that I thought would’ve been there for me, ran,” he shared. “A lot of them put themselves on the moral high ground, and, to be honest, people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.”
Barrowman expressed frustration with how quickly people distanced themselves, describing them as “scared” and focused on protecting their own reputations. “The sad fact is not every one of them was toxic, they were just chicken s**t. They’re scared of their own shadows and what they have done.”
Barrowman went on to defend himself against the accusations, calling the incidents “stupid pranks” that were taken out of context. “We had pranks, but they were amongst the company members, and we all laughed and had fun. I was being publicly punished and humiliated for those things and also being canceled.”
Becoming emotional, Barrowman emphasized that he would never harm anyone, stating, “The one thing that I would never do in my life… is harm a woman, a man, or anybody, transgender, you name it. That’s just not who this man is.”
Barrowman’s reflections reveal the toll the scandal has taken on him, both personally and professionally, as he continues to navigate the impact of the allegations and the loss of trust in those around him.