John Barrowman has admitted he had suicidal thoughts after his penis-flashing scandal.
The Doctor Who star previously admitted to exposing himself on set but maintained it was just larking about and “tomfoolery”. He first apologised for an incident in 2008, then again in 2021 when stories of him exposing himself on the sci-fi show re-emerged, telling The Guardian his “high-spirited behaviour” was “only ever intended in good humour to entertain colleagues on set and backstage”.
He has now shared that he went through mental health struggles amid the scandal. “I had thoughts of suicide, going out and trying to do certain things and harm myself, and a couple of times debating how I was going to kill myself,” he told the Mirror.
READ MORE: John Barrowman’s biggest career scandals – genital flashing to Dancing On Ice axe
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“The thing was I couldn’t do it because of my family and friends,” said John, who has been married to his husband Scott Gill since 2006.
(Image: Getty Images)
The controversy cost John, 57, his job on Dancing On Ice and he has said he feared he being “cancelled”.
“Something that was a stupid prank that was done amongst cast members and who the cast members never complained, never said anything about, but a narrative was created that apparently I was going around and throwing my c*** on people’s shoulders, which was not true,” he told The Mirror.
(Image: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
“We had pranks, but they were amongst the company members and we all laughed and had fun. I was being, in a sense, publicly punished and humiliated for those things and also being cancelled.”
The actor, who is set to star in the upcoming series of Celebrity SAS, said he would “never do anything to harm a woman or a man or anybody, transgender, you name it”.
John’s apology in 2008 came after he exposed himself on a live BBC Radio 1 show, and he said in a statement at the time that he’d gone “too far” with his joking around.
(Image: Channel 4)
When stories about him exposing himself on Doctor Who emerged in 2021, he issued a statement to The Guardian making it clear it was intended in fun to entertain colleagues backstage. “With the benefit of hindsight, I understand that upset may have been caused by my exuberant behaviour and I have apologised for this previously,” he said. “Since my apology in November 2008, my understanding and behaviour have also changed.”
For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
