John Barrowman says flashing allegations were ‘exaggerated’ and ‘not sexual harassment’
John Barrowman gave his first TV interview since claims that he repeatedly exposed himself on set. (ITV)
John Barrowman claims that allegations he exposed himself to colleagues while working on Doctor Who have been “exaggerated”, and that the incidents were “absolutely not” sexual harassment.
On Tuesday (23 November), Barrowman appeared on ITV’s Lorraine to give his first TV interview since claims that he repeatedly exposed himself on set made headlines earlier this year.
He told host Lorraine Kelly: “I think if it was now, it would be crossing the line. I think that something that happened 15 years ago, it was bawdy behaviour, silly behaviour, it was being done in the confines of the set and we were like a family, working together.
“The fact that it was stories I’ve already told, I’ve been telling them for years, I haven’t hidden anything, they’ve been exaggerated and they’ve tried to turn them into sexual harassment which it absolutely is not.
“And the one thing for me, all the people that were making a fuss about it, they weren’t there, they don’t know the context of things that were done.”
Barrowman said he felt he had been “bashed” in the press “just to sell the newspapers”, and added: “We’re not allowing people to learn, to adapt, and to change. And that’s the most important thing.”
He also emphasised that him stepping down as a judge on Dancing on Ice was unrelated to the flashing controversy.
“Dancing on Ice is a show that changes judges all the time,” Barrowman said.
“It was nothing to do with that, ITV were clear about that, which I’m extremely grateful for.”
John Barrowman was accused of getting ‘his d**k out every five seconds’
In April 2021, a video from 2015 came to light in which British actor Noel Clarke alleged that John Barrowman would expose himself on set of Doctor Who. It resurfaced after Clarke himself was accused of sexual harassment and misconduct by 20 women. He has categorically denied all allegations.
In the video, Clarke claimed Barrowman would “take his d**k out every five seconds” in front of colleagues, and even asked Doctor Who star Camille Coduri whether she remembered the time Barrowman “put it on your shoulder in the makeup truck”. Coduri said that she did.
Barrowman later apologised for his “tomfoolery”, and said that his “high-spirited behaviour” was “only ever intended in good humour to entertain colleagues on set and backstage”.
He continued: “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.”
