ITV was last night urged to ditch Dancing on Ice’s John Barrowman after he was accused of exposing himself on TV sets.
The actor, 54, is accused of repeatedly exposing himself on the sets of BBC’s Doctor Who and spin-off Torchwood.
Doctor Who executive producer Julie Gardner confirmed she had reprimanded him after a complaint about his lewd behaviour on Torchwood.
Witnesses describe the flashing as inappropriate pranks, not sexually predatory behaviour.
The Guardian newspaper said Jena (not her real name), a runner and driver on Doctor Who in the early 2000s, said she often saw Barrowman expose himself on set, saying: “He would get his genitals out on a regular basis . . . which he just thought was really funny.”
The actor, who played flamboyant Captain Jack Harkness in both shows, apologised for his antics which he described as “high- spirited behaviour, larking about and tomfoolery”.
Barrowman insisted it was “only ever intended in good humour” and never meant to be sexual in nature.
He added: “With the benefit of hindsight, I understand that upset may have been caused by my exuberant behaviour and I have apologised for this previously.”
But last night Tory MP Alec Shelbrooke told The Sun on Sunday that Barrowman should step down from a family show such as Dancing on Ice.
Mr Shelbrooke said: “Inappropriate behaviour like this is not acceptable no matter what the circumstances.
“ITV and the BBC have a responsibility with the standards they set.
“Dancing On Ice is a family show and ITV shouldn’t be willing to indulge this behaviour in any way.
“It’s incumbent on broadcasters to show they are not condoning such behaviour in any way.”
Last night ITV remained tight-lipped over whether Barrowman would return as a judge.
A spokesman said the on-screen Dancing On Ice talent “would only be attached to the forthcoming series closer to the time”.
The hit programme is normally shown each January.
Former detective Mark Williams-Thomas, who exposed Jimmy Savile as a paedophile and is now an ITV investigations presenter, said a police probe was likely if anyone complained about Barrowman.
Mr Williams-Thomas added: “If police felt his behaviour amounted to indecent exposure it could amount to a criminal offence and, while attitudes change, the law does not.
“It does not matter if it is ten or 20 years ago, you do not, even in jest, expose yourself in a public place.
“If someone were to make a complaint to police, they would be duty-bound to investigate.
“They would be unlikely to investigate a third-party complaint, but would act if someone directly involved went to the police.”
Mr Williams-Thomas went on: “Noel Clarke (Barrowman’s co-star on Doctor Who) has been pulled from every network as a result of multiple allegations against him, which he has denied, and here we have Barrowman admitting to questionable behaviour.
“It will be very interesting to see what happens to him over the forthcoming days.”
Star of stage and screen
By James Somper
JOHN Barrowman has enjoyed a glittering TV and stage career — best known for his role as charismatic Captain Jack Harkness.
Born in Glasgow, John moved with his family to the States when he was eight.
But he returned to Britain in his early 20s to study, and his acting career took off.
His numerous West End roles included Raoul in the 1992 production of The Phantom of the Opera.
He was one of the original hosts of BBC children’s show Live and Kicking in 1993.
But he really shot to fame playing Captain Jack in Doctor Who in 2005, then the spin-off show Torchwood.
He returned this year in the New Year’s Day special, Revolution of the Daleks.
He was a contestant on the 2006 series of Dancing on Ice before being invited back in 2020 as a judge.
In 2010 he played Patrick Logan in the US TV series Desperate
Housewives and that December won the Christmas Strictly special.
He came third in the 2018 series of I’m a Celebrity.
This year he hosted ITV’s All Star Musicals reality show. He has also co-presented and performed in the BBC1 series The Sound of Musicals.
A panto regular, his roles have included Dick Whittington in Birmingham in 2016.
John married Brit architect Scott Gill, 57, in 2013.
A former colleague of Barrowman told The Sun on Sunday: “John is renowned for getting his willy out.
“There are numerous people in musical theatre who have seen his tackle. It’s his party trick.
“He might see it as a laugh and outrageous behaviour, playing the clown, but it comes down to tone and sensibility.
“Some people don’t feel comfortable with it and find it intimidating.”
Barrowman was a Dancing On Ice contestant in 2006 and joined as judge last year, alongside Diversity street dancer Ashley Banjo and Olympic skating legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.
Barrowman also came third on ITV’s I’m A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out of Here in 2018 and is a regular on the pantomime circuit.
He was dragged into the controversy surrounding actor and film producer Clarke last week when video from a 2015 sci-fi convention resurfaced.
It saw Clarke, flanked by their Doctor Who co-stars Camille Coduri and Annette Badland, accuse Barrowman of exposing himself to an actress.
Discussing their time on 2005 episode Boom Town, Clarke said: “Barrowman is there, taking his d*** out every five minutes.”
Using his microphone to imitate Barrowman he turned to Camille and said: “Do you remember that time he put it on your shoulder in the make-up truck?” Camille replied: “Yes”.
In December 2008, Barrowman apologised after being accused of exposing himself in a live appearance on BBC Radio One with DJs Nick Grimshaw and Annie Mac.
Barrowman later said: “I apologise for any offence I have caused.”
Last week Clarke was dropped by ITV, BBC and Sky after The Guardian published testimony from 20 women who variously accused him of groping, sexual harassment and bullying.
Clarke vehemently denies any allegations of sexual misconduct, criminal wrongdoing or sexually inappropriate behaviour.
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