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Original poster

To be astounded people are defending John Barrowman

211 replies

GoldFrankensteinAndGrrr · 04/10/2021 07:20

Or that they ever did, but particularly in the current climate.

Defending/diminishing the actions of a man whose colleagues have repeatedly said has exposed himself at work? Really? If he worked at Sainsbury's and did it there would it be ok too?

Some of the excuses I've heard include he's gay so he didn't fancy them, what's the problem/it was just a laugh/he's in showbusiness, it's different and so on. No. It's not. Assault is assault and dismissing it or justifying it, or implying that women need to lighten up and get a sense of humour, normalises his actions and validates others who do similar - it's just messing about/a bit of fun, after all.

I cannot believe that anyone would think it's ok to slap your penis on a colleague's body while at work, but apparently some people do. Bonkers.

OP posts:
Hattie765 · 04/10/2021 07:24

Couldn't agree with you more. Anyone who says 'he's gay so he doesn't fancy you' misses the point spectacularly. It's about power FFS, not who you fancy.

gaggiagirl · 04/10/2021 07:28

I was just saying this at work. My colleagues were saying "yes, but he was only having a laugh/he was trying to make his friends laugh/break the ice/it's just his sense of humour"
If Malcolm from IT put his nob on your shoulder as an ice breaker, would that be ok? No. It would not.

DownUdderer · 04/10/2021 07:33

I don't know all the details but it makes me think of Geoffrey Rush and Craig McLachlan. These men say it's harmless. Banter type of behavior. People laugh along but actually they're incredibly uncomfortable.

lollipoprainbow · 04/10/2021 07:39

Totally agree !

Original poster
GoldFrankensteinAndGrrr · 04/10/2021 07:39

I've not seen any women defending him, unsurprisingly.

OP posts:
TheNatureOfTheCatastrophe · 04/10/2021 07:42

It's not OK, not remotely OK, and the Doctor Who producers seem to have let it pass for far too long (as I understand it one of the producers on Torchwood finally intervened to prevent it a few years later).

In context the women in question don't seem to have found it upsetting or threatening, and I do think that makes a big difference to how I'd approach it and how I think of Barrowman. But seeing it treated so lightly might well have served to lower the inhibitions of Noel Clarke, who did go on to behave in a way that a lot of women found very distressing and threatening.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 04/10/2021 07:42

People go out of their way to defend celebrities they like regardless of evidence. Or dismiss it, because they are good at what they do. (Such as footballers charged with having sex with underage girls)

MissChanandlerBong81 · 04/10/2021 07:43

Agree entirely. Never ok.

picklemewalnuts · 04/10/2021 07:43

Is it back in the news again? I read a thread on it here ages ago. I was shocked and disgusted. At best, it's puerile behaviour which has the potential to traumatise people. At worst, it's predatory behaviour.

How can it be brushed over?

lollipoprainbow · 04/10/2021 07:46

My friend met him and being a larger lady she said he was fascinated with her boobs and gave them a 'jiggle' she thought it was hilarious Hmm

MyCatEatsPrawnCrackers · 04/10/2021 07:48

Utterly disgusting behaviour. I was a fan of JB and have seen him in concert several times but wouldn't ever go again now.

Megan2018 · 04/10/2021 07:52

He’s a disgrace. As is Chris Evans who regularly did/does the same (in the 90’s at least, can’t comment on now). He was DH’s boss for over a decade when he worked in TV production. I can’t say more detail but it’s appalling that he’s still allowed to work.

Chloemol · 04/10/2021 07:52

N er been a fan, there was always something not quite right, and now I know

Original poster
GoldFrankensteinAndGrrr · 04/10/2021 07:56

@picklemewalnuts

Is it back in the news again? I read a thread on it here ages ago. I was shocked and disgusted. At best, it's puerile behaviour which has the potential to traumatise people. At worst, it's predatory behaviour.

How can it be brushed over?

Yes - according to reports he's been sacked from Dancing on Ice. But apparently ITV have given him his own show. Well done, ITV Hmm
OP posts:
334bu · 04/10/2021 07:56

Given some of the details which emerged in the trial of Couzens, diminishing Barrowman's actions is disgusting. Exposure is sexual assault.

DebbieHarrysCheekbones · 04/10/2021 07:57

Disgusting lewd creepy entitled antics.
If he is given a wide berth because he is gay then that’s a smack in the face for equality is it not?

What he’s doing is no different from a straight man or woman for that mater
@lollipoprainbow that’s exactly the sort of thing I mean. If that had been Bradley Walsh or Ben Shepherd (trying to compare to household names on mainstream pap) their careers would rightly be in the toilet

Original poster
GoldFrankensteinAndGrrr · 04/10/2021 08:02

@lollipoprainbow

My friend met him and being a larger lady she said he was fascinated with her boobs and gave them a 'jiggle' she thought it was hilarious Hmm
Ah, these wacky celebs and their good natured sexual assault eh!

It's okay because he didn't fancy her, being gay and all.

OP posts:
Mychitchatdays · 04/10/2021 08:05

He tried to humiliate my DH at a kids Christmas pantomime. He was there with the school as a chaperone. Barrowman had a kilt on and my DH was sitting in the front row and he kept trying to put his kilt over his head and a few other things. He's a disgusting man. My DH was raging.

Original poster
GoldFrankensteinAndGrrr · 04/10/2021 08:08

@334bu

Given some of the details which emerged in the trial of Couzens, diminishing Barrowman's actions is disgusting. Exposure is sexual assault.
100% this.
OP posts:
Original poster
GoldFrankensteinAndGrrr · 04/10/2021 08:09

@Mychitchatdays that is fucking disgusting.

How on earth is he still working? Clearly these are not isolated incidents, not that it would matter if they were.

OP posts:
TheKeatingFive · 04/10/2021 08:10

It's appalling really. And I used to be a bit of a fan.

GoodnightGrandma · 04/10/2021 08:10

I’ve never liked this man, he’s so false.
I hate the way he swings between an American and Scottish accent, depending upon what he’s doing 🤮

Tellmewhat · 04/10/2021 08:11

I agree he couldn’t continue on dancing on ice. What’s the new show they have given him?

Silvercatowner · 04/10/2021 08:11

I said as much on a thread some three or four years ago and was absolutely slammed - 'it's all good fun' etc etc Envy. Feel vindicated now. How quickly things change.

DoraMaude · 04/10/2021 08:11

Are people defending him? I've always thought he was an utter knob. All that faux Scottishness when it suits him. Nasty piece of work.