Lorraine: John Barrowman talks about sexual harassment claims
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
Dancing On Ice host Phillip Schofield had only kind words to say about Doctor Who actor John Barrowman, when he spoke about what fans could expect from the 2022 series. John joined the judging panel of ITV’s hit ice skating show back in 2019, but was not invited back following allegations of inappropriate behaviour.
John, 54, reportedly exposed himself on the sets of Doctor Who and Torchwood and has since apologised for his behaviour, chalking it down to “tomfoolery” that he took part in over a decade ago.
Nevertheless, ITV felt the need to replace the star following the flashing accusations, and Strictly Come Dancing pro Oti Mabuse, 31, has been announced as his successor.
Phillip, 59, said Oti becoming the new addition to the line-up was “amazing”, but admitted that he still “adores” John.
The presenter explained to The Mirror and other publications: “I adore John (Barrowman) and obviously we will miss that larger than life personality but in every panel you want to make sure each area is well and truly serviced.”
“Oti will definitely be the one to pick them up on their dancing and their dancing skills and that’s really important.”
Phillip also spoke about the different strengths of the judging panel, saying: “So, you’ve got Ashley [Banjo] with the overall showbiz nature and difficulty with the moves, obviously Jayne [Torvill] and Christopher [Dean] who have ice skating sewn up and then you’ve got Oti who knows exactly what’s required.”
He added: “We really like her as well, she has been on This Morning a lot so we know she will be a great part of the team.”
When asked what advice he would give Oti, he said: “Well I think you have to take that into consideration.
“I love Strictly but compared to the skills that are required for Dancing on Ice it’s a walk in the park, because you have the possibility of real danger, real injury.
“You have a rink that is full of essentially blades and we know how dangerous they can be and how deeply they can cut and how sharp they are.
“I’ve just watched a video of Bez on his second day fall over backwards so hard that his helmet flew off.
“It’s one of those things but you don’t see that on Strictly. Dancing On Ice is really dangerous.
Strictly’s John Whaite shares candid post about ‘life-changing’ trip [INSIGHT]
Donny Osmond’s wife sent threatening letters when relationship exposed [NEWS]
Deborah James admits fears of not making it to March as health worsens [NEWS]
“They really all risk everything for it. We’ve seen in the past that people do get hurt and of course you want to avoid that at all cost.
“I think we will be wrapping Bez up in bubble wrap that’s for sure,” he joked.
This year, Dancing On Ice welcomes a new batch of celebrities to the rink, including Coronation Street legend Sally Dynevor, Mark ‘Bez’ Berry from the Happy Mondays, Paralympian Stef Reid and Former Strictly pro Brendan Cole.
John Barrowman competed on the first ever series of Dancing On Ice back in 2006, placing in fourth with professional skater Olga Sharutenko.
In November 2021, the actor, who played flirtatious hero Captain Jack Harkness in Doctor Who and Torchwood, admitted he sometimes went too far with his behaviour on set, but he denied that it was sexual harassment.
He told Lorraine Kelly, 61, on her morning TV show: “I think that if it was now, it would be crossing the line. It was being done in the confines of the set and we were like a family working together.
“I haven’t hidden anything. They’ve been exaggerated and they’ve tried to turn them into sexual harassment, which it absolutely is not.
“All the people making a fuss about it weren’t there. They don’t know the context of things that were done. I would never do it now but we’re not allowing people to learn to adapt and to change.”
Dancing On Ice begins this Sunday at 6:30pm on ITV.
Source: Read Full Article