John Barrowman on DOI and the Doctor Who villain he thinks ‘has a bit of fluidity in him…’
Excl: "I've played straight characters most of my career!" says star as he talks gay/straight casting debate and supporting Phillip Schofield
Words: Jamie Tabberer; picture: ITV
John Barrowman is so gay and so iconic, he of course has art by iconic gay artist Keith Haring hanging in his sitting room.
Jealous, us?
“I’m lucky enough to have an original!” the bubbly Torchwood star tells Attitude from his Cardiff home as we catch up over Zoom.
View this post on Instagram
His other home’s super gay by virtue of location: LGBTQ mecca Palm Springs, California, where John and husband Scott Gill spent much of 2020.
“I’ve been inside 24/7!” the 53-year-old tells us of his return to the UK, and his quarantine ahead of Dancing On Ice judging duties Sunday. “I’ve no outdoor space; just a balcony. In Palm Springs, we have a big garden and pool, so it’s been a little different. But I tested negative yesterday so I’m able to go outside!”
Here, the showbiz vet talks supporting Phillip Schofield when he came out, reviving Captain Jack for Doctor Who and what he’d say to Bo-Jo given the chance…
View this post on Instagram
What’s the mood in Palm Springs at the moment?
We’re lucky: Palm Springs has knuckled down more than other towns. There, you must wear a mask when walk down the street unless you have medical reasons. Also, the community came together because we have an older population, a big gay male population; a lot of men are older and living with HIV. We have to protect our friends and neighbours.
We’ve protected ourselves, which basically – not to be trite – is what we did in the 80s anyway, with the HIV virus. Your mask is your condom: fucking put it on your face!
Which contestant are you looking forward to critiquing on DOI?
Not a fair question – it seems like I’m choosing favourites! But if I’m going to choose, it’s going to be people I know. Denise [Van Outen], Jason [Donovan], Myleene [Klass]. […] Perhaps I’ll be harder on them, because I know they’re showbiz and they should be able to do it!
John with fellow Dancing On Ice judges Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean and Ashley Banjo (Picture: ITV)
Do you and DOI‘s Phillip Schofield go back a long way?
My first meeting with Phil was after he left Going Live! and we took over as Live & Kicking [in 1993!]. I’ve known him for a long time.
Were you in touch to congratulate him when he came out?
I was there! I was in the building. For those of us who have all come out, there’s always an element of stress, fear, relief – all those emotions combined. The only thing I could do, because of the emotions he was going through – I went to his dressing room, walked through the door, put him in my arms and I held him, with his head on my shoulder. I said: “It’s going to be OK. It’s going to be tough, but OK.” I couldn’t give a comparison because I had a boyfriend, wasn’t married, didn’t have a wife and kids [when I came out]. It was a different situation. However, I had to reassure him he was doing the right thing, living his truth.
John as Torchwood’s Captain Jack (Picture: Wiki)
You and Scott [pictured below] recently celebrated your anniversary – did you have a nice day?
We did. The one we celebrated after Christmas was the civil partnership we had here in the UK. I made him dinner. It’s 27 years, I think!
How did it feel reprising the role of Torchwood‘s Captain Jack on the Doctor Who specials?
As I’ve always said, I will go back at the drop of a hat. I could not say no. It’s a joy to back, I had a blast. And I’m not saying it’s the end.
View this post on Instagram
What do you think of John Bishop joining the show?
It’s hard to comment because I don’t know what the character is. I think it’s great they’re bringing a fresh face. John will bring new energy to it.
A question from a Doctor Who fanatic: which monster do you think is gay?
I definitely think there’s got to be a Cyberman who’s gay. There’s lot of them, that’s the point – there’s got to be one of them who is gay. One particular villain… I think maybe Davros might have a little bit of fluidity in him…
Are you excited to see It’s a Sin?
Everything Russell T Davies writes I enjoy. It’ll be interesting to see the take on it. It’s a whole era myself and my husband and a lot of other men lived through.
You recently said you’ve held court with all UK Prime Ministers dating back to John Major. What would you say to Boris Johnson, if you met him?
I haven’t met him, and if I did I first thing would be ‘pull your finger out’. Be transparent with everybody. Decisions should be made, in a sense, by committee, but one person needs to give all the information, not six different people. They’re all saying a different fucking thing. Get it together.
I know you’ve been asked before – but what’s your view on straight actors playing gay?
You should get a role based on your ability as an actor. I understand why people want it to be only gay men and gay women playing gay roles, however, myself, I have my own thought process, I believe your job should not be based on your sexuality. I don’t call myself a gay actor, I’m an actor who is gay. We don’t say Brad Pitt the straight actor.
[…] I understand, there haven’t been many roles in the past done for us. When they were, they were generally given to straight people, because if you were out in Hollywood and the business you were overlooked.
[…] But for goodness sake, I’ve played straight characters most of my career! I wouldn’t want people to turn around and say ‘you can’t play straight’ – which has happened – ‘because you’re gay’. That doesn’t seem fair. It’s great we’re having the conversation. Writers need to write more gay characters and less stereotypes. That’s where the problem is. […] But I have no problem going up against a straight guy for a gay role. I just don’t. I’d hope it was talent you were looking at rather than sexuality.
Dancing On Ice starts on Sunday 17th January at 6pm on ITV.
The Attitude 101 February issue featuring 101 LGBTQ trailblazers is out now.
Subscribe in print and get your first three issues for just £3, or digitally for just over £1 per issue.
