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John Barrowman
Raucous: a webcam view of John Barrowman in the studio for the Radio I broadcast

BBC says sorry again after Barrowman’s lewd act on live radio

Rashid Razaq and Danny Brierley
1 Dec 2008


The BBC was engulfed in another decency row today after one of its highest profile stars exposed himself live on air.

The corporation was forced into another embarrassing and potentially damaging apology after Doctor Who actor John Barrowman revealed himself in a pre-watershed Radio 1 show which was also broadcast online via a webcam.

In an interview on The Switch at 8.15 last night, Barrowman, 41, performed the act after being prompted by presenters Annie Mac and Nick Grimshaw.

The Scottish-American actor, best known for his role as Captain Jack Harkness in Doctor Who and its spin-off series Torchwood, made the studio erupt in screams and wild laughter, while a producer hastily covered the webcam. It comes despite BBC director-general Mark Thompson's promise for greater controls following the outcry over the Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross obscene call. Producers have been warned that swearing and potentially offensive output must be approved by the controller of each station or channel.

Last night radio listeners heard as Barrowman, a guest who was promoting his new single, responded to goading by presenters.

Grimshaw said: "You're famous, we're told, for getting your willy out in interviews. Is this going to happen today? Should Annie be careful?"

Barrowman asked: "Is the webcam on?", and when he was told it was responded: "All right. I'll get it out for you then, no problem."

Annie Mac is then heard screaming and shouting "Oh my God!" as Grimshaw and Barrowman laugh. Seconds later Barrowman is heard saying: "I didn't take the whole thing out, but I got my fruit and nuts out."

There follows several minutes of laughter and conversation, with both presenters expressing their surprise, but neither condemning or apologising for their guest's actions.

At one point Barrowman exclaims: "I can't believe I've just done that."

The openly gay actor has appeared as a judge on the prime-time BBC talent show Any Dream Will Do as well as major West End productions.

The BBC confirmed Barrowman had exposed himself on the programme, but said it was not visible to online viewers. It also said Mac apologised at the end of the show and that no complaints had been received last night.

Reader views (48)

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Oh my god it was fun , what`s the problem of this people.We all make mistakes in life.John give us so much .

- Astrid, germany, 09/08/2009 22:23
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Interesting that Radio 4's Now Show used a lot of comments on this thread as material last Friday. Some of you are now unpaid scriptwriters!

- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland, 09/12/2008 12:25
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For crying out loud!
Why don't people just get a life. This is ridiculous.
Why don't the people who make the complaints about these events focus on something we really should be concerned about and not petty trivial non events like this.
We all know that the type of person that makes a complaint in response to this kind of situation is in the minority! The media also have responsibility for making a big issue out of this.
Grow up people! Find something meaningful to focus your attentions on.

- Marcus, Manchester, 06/12/2008 17:44
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As nobody saw him we still dont know if his Torch wood or rusty? Exsperminate...Exsperminate...Exsperminate

As he says "The 21st Century is when it happens."

- Melvyn, Canvey Island, Essex, 02/12/2008 19:22
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This is radio. It`s a none-event. You all need to lighten up a bit.

- Clive Allen, Brighton, UK, 02/12/2008 09:10
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I did not find the radio show offensive.
However, I do find what Monica wrote to be extremely offensive.

- Pearl, London, 02/12/2008 08:35
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Monica: Have you ever heard him sing? There's a darn good reason he was a leading man in the West End for so long...he has a wonderful voice. I'm quite sure he gets his jobs based on his talent, not his so-called "gay following" (what gay following-he has a lot of female fans as well- and his fans are of all ages).
I don't think he's flaunting being gay...but he does respond to his hosts, and in this case they were obviously encouraging him to "expose himself" (not that there's any actual exposure on a RADIO show with the webcam off).
This is just a tempest in a teapot, and anyone upset by it needs to acquire a sense of proportion (since they obviously lack a sense of humour)

- Cindy, Victoria Canada, 02/12/2008 07:54
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*Send him back where he came from*

Monica, do you mean all the way to Scotland?

Also? Folks who make sweeping statements about a group (like him only 'getting jobs because of his gay following') and then follow it up with "I have nothing against gays" are just pathetic.

- Cindy, London, England, 02/12/2008 07:04
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Yet if the Daily Mail runs an article about it, you can be sure there'll be 40,000 or so complaints. There were almost no complaints about the Brand thing on the actual night of broadcast.

It's hard to decide whether a news story on someone exposing themselves on *radio* is really news or just satire..

- Peter Cooper, Louth, United Kingdom, 02/12/2008 01:30
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John's gotten away with this sort of behavior for so long that I think he's out of touch with what is OK & what isn't... either that, or the UK has a different attitude about flashers than we do! I believe a lot of people who work with him are afraid to speak up because he has so much power in the industry. I think he's adorable, too... but I also think he needs a reality check.

- Kinsey, Birmingham, US, 02/12/2008 00:21
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I can see his shiny helmet in your photograph...is that what the fuss is about ?

- Squiz, Islington, 01/12/2008 23:24
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I am not a prude by any means, but, how low can "entertainment" sink before somebody says 'that's it, you have gone to far, you are out of a job and will not be promoted again'. The BBC openly promotes celebrities books, new records, films, etc which are a flagrant way of free advertising. And a lot of these so called celebrities are the ones "pushing the boundaries". Come on, let us make a stand now and return to family value entertainment.

- Brian Watkins, United Kingdom, 01/12/2008 21:55
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It looks like a penis, but a bit smaller! (old joke)

- Richard Meredith, Huntingdon UK, 01/12/2008 21:22
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I think this is all a fuss over nothing too. The presenters themselves know who John is and pretty much dared him to do it. It seemed pretty consensual to me. And being gay has nothing to do with it, that's just how he is. A fun guy.

John has since apologised if he offended anyone and I applaud him for that because he is a decent guy no matter what others say.

- Sandy, Grafton, 01/12/2008 20:25
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I accet that nobody SAW the act. It is not a witch hunt, just that some people have morales, thank goodness. But do you really think this is acceptable behaviour in ANY circumstance? There are laws against exposure, and just because he's a celeb, he shouldn't be an exception. The sad thing is that has tarnished the BBC's reputation

- Steph, Vaale of Glamorgan, 01/12/2008 20:11
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What a lot of fuss about nothing! I think the papers are looking for ways of having a go at the Beeb at the moment. I rather like John Barrowman and I am straight so not convinced that his following is primarily gay.

- Katherine, England, 01/12/2008 19:06
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Any man who exposes himself to a female without her consent could be charged with indecent exposure.
If the female who witnessed this claimed damages, we the licence fee payers would have to pay.
There are many wonderful gay entertainers, but thankfully, they know where to draw the line.

- John, Westminster, London, 01/12/2008 19:04
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What a stupid fuss over nothing, and Jonathan Ross shouldn't have been suspended, it's not like his briefs were the issue.

- Nick Wright, South Coast, 01/12/2008 18:44
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Grow up Britain.

- Alec Millne, Den hague, Holland, 01/12/2008 18:29
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No one complained so why the 'scandal'?

- Abi, Edinburgh, 01/12/2008 18:10
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What a fuss about nothing. It was a radio show and no one saw anything. Typical hypocritical response from the press as it seems its ok for the tabloid newspapers to put large breasted naked ladies in their pages for all to see at any time of the day. Leave John Barrowman alone. He is a great multi talented performer

- Helen, Essex, 01/12/2008 18:04
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I really don't understand how and why this has been blown out of proportion like it has. Nothing was seen, nobody hurt, so why all the fuss. Seems to be a good few people jumping on the band-wagon.


In my opinion, John Barrowman has nothing to apologise for.

- Jules, Derby, 01/12/2008 17:38
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I can't believe this as become such an issue. No one listening saw anything. I think that cause John is so popular and successful if there is a chance of knocking him people will. And as for John only gets jobs because of his gay following then they haven't been to any of his signings and concerts where his fan base is across the board. Hope all this nonsense ends and get back to real issues that deserve reporting.

- Tina, Ipswich, 01/12/2008 16:48
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well, Li Ching Chu, Taiwan, if you don't like UK then don't live here. it's pretty damn simple. Enough of foreigners complaining, everyone comes to live her for a reason, freedom of rights.
it was on the radio, no webcam, no one saw anything... jeez.

- Nl, London, 01/12/2008 16:24
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It didn't see it but would like to complain x 10000. So there.

- Gareth, Stoke, 01/12/2008 16:13
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Everyone complaining, get a life!

- Colin, Scotland, 01/12/2008 16:07
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i am sorry but some people need to grow up i thought it was so funny its radio its not like it was live tv nbobody saw anything pitty carry on john i just think its brillant and its time people liven up a bit very funny there should be more people like him sooooooo funny still laughing today

- Mandy, lincolnshire, 01/12/2008 15:31
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Oh get a life...he was a bit silly but hey, women can take their breasts out in public and men jump for joy! I'm just sorry I didn't see anything!!! John Barrowman is hugely talented and I have been a huge fan for ages and hope this just blows over as it should. One thing though JB, just stop & think you have a lot of little kids who idolise you now as well...

- Carole Z, Bristol, England, 01/12/2008 14:57
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I don't see the problem? It's RADIO, nobody swore, nobody lashed out at anyone else. NOBODY COMPLAINED.

I listened to the show live and thought it was highly entertaining, and the "exposure" was a fitting moment that was light hearted and not meant to offend anyone.

If anything actually comes of this I have the deepest sympathies for Barrowman and anyone else who is affected, as this is just the result of the "BBC Bashing" that's going on just now.

- Graham, London, 01/12/2008 14:51
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Clearly something to be proud of! Go, John!

- Lynn, London, 01/12/2008 14:18
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Anyone who has the time to make a complaint about something they may have seen if the camera had been somewhere else while watching a webcam view of a radio programme really, really, really OUGHT TO GET OUT MORE!!!

- Paul, London, 01/12/2008 14:04
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Just another example of how low the radio and TV is getting in England. The general education and morals are deteriorating fast compared to Asia. I found London to be quite different from the people in the South of England who seem to be more decent.
We removed our children from UK because of the bad influences by the arrogant people who insist on corrupting the young. On average our kids in Asia are two years ahead in science and maths because of importance of education, family values and morals. Our kids study your's drink etc. etc. Time will show who has the better way.

- Li Ching Chu, Taiwan, 01/12/2008 14:00
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Disgusting. He should be arrested for lewd behaviour. This would never be tolerated in any other place of work, why do celebrities and homosexuals think they are above the law?

- Kathleen, Westminster, 01/12/2008 13:58
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I totally agree with the previous comments. Let's stop this witch hunt and leave the editorial decisions to the Beeb. One pre Xmas scandal's quite enough,especially when that one was a 'storm in a teacup'

- Gavin, Bordon Hampshire, 01/12/2008 13:57
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Let's all converge on the bbc with pitchforks and torches!

- Bob, Cheam, 01/12/2008 13:35
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"...only gets jobs because of his gay following..." Sadly, Monica, I fear you are probably mistaken on that one. None of my gay co-workers are fans of this man ("ambivalent" is the most flattering reaction I could get), but a bizarrely high proportion of women here seem to be. Go figure.
I hardly think these antics constitute any kind of "scandal", however, compared to what you might routinely see/hear on Graham Norton or I'm A Nonebrity...

- Karli, Tottenham, London, 01/12/2008 13:32
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Storm in a teacup. What a beat up. Stop bullying the BBC and insulting our intelligence.

- David, London, 01/12/2008 13:31
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Sack him, sack them all. Sack everyone on television. Put curtains over the TV screen and draw them firmly - then turn the lights out.

- Andy, Reading, UK, 01/12/2008 13:31
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Lewd means base, vile or lascivious. Nudity, or even partial nudity, is none of those things, unless it is used in an intimidating manner for sexual gratification. I once entered a live phone-in radio competition early in the morning wearing only my knickers. Does this mean I committed a vile or lascivious act live on radio?

Get some perspective and get your facts straight. No-one was hurt or threatened, and not only was John Barrowman not facing the camera, the camera wasn't working.

- Gillian, UK, 01/12/2008 13:17
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I tuned into this show last night and John Barrowman was great on the show. I didn't think any of it was lewd, just funny. The webcam wasn't working so i couldn't see what was going on. I doubt JB would have exposed himself live on TV via webcam, he's not stupid. I don't know what people are getting upset about.

- Angela, Leeds, 01/12/2008 12:45
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Please, next time he chooses to do this can we make sure we can actually see it on the webcam so there might actually be something to talk about.

- Anon, UK, 01/12/2008 12:44
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It wasn't a lewd act - he unzipped his flies for about two seconds (something which wasn't visible!), and that was it. People need to put things in perspective and stop making something out of nothing.

Also, the Radio 1 webcam isn't a live feed - it's a still picture that refreshes itself every 10 minutes. The photo in the article isn't from the webcam, it's a video of Barrowman larking about with the presenters, about 20 minutes later.

- Richard, Ipswich, 01/12/2008 12:39
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Nothing was seen(unfortunately)except by those in the studio.Why people are making such a big deal about this or anything else John Barrowman does is beyond me.Perhaps I'm not as narrow minded as some and all I can say is,if you don't like the guy,change your radio/TV station,close your newspaper,there are so many terrible things going on in the world,is JB getting his bits out so bad?

- Eve, Brighton.England, 01/12/2008 12:25
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First of all, the picture you have on the website isn't from the 'webcam' - it's from an unrelated video they had of Barrowman completing a joke assault course. The webcam wasn't working - I was watching so I can tell you that! And even if it was, he was a brief (one-second) off the cuff moment.

Secondly, it wasn't 'lewd' - it was radio, nothing was seen! Stop making something out of nothing.

- Janey, Glasgow, 01/12/2008 12:16
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This whole BBC thing has got totally out of hand. I was listening to the show and it was a totally off the cuff, appropriate and funny moment (it certainly wasn't lewd). And the webcam wasn't working - I know, because I had it on! People need to lighten up and stop making 'scandals' out of nothing.

- Dee, London, 01/12/2008 12:10
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Sack him.

- Frank, Home Counties, England., 01/12/2008 11:36
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This is not very good. Although quite a fan of Barrowman I thought he was becoming overexposed before this exposure! A bad career move I suspect.

- Mark, Bournemouth England, 01/12/2008 11:14
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I am fed up with this person continually in my face on the tv and in the papers. Who does he think he is. Send him back to where he came from. He cannot act or sing, and only gets jobs because of his gay following. I have nothing against gays, some of my best friends/bosses in the past have been gay but they never flaunted it like this person. He must be so insecure, I feel sorry for his family.

- Monica, England, 01/12/2008 10:43
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