Doctor Who audio producers Big Finish have announced they will not be moving forward with the release of the story Torchwood: Absent Friends.
Originally set for release this month, the story would have reunited John Barrowman’s Captain Jack Harkness with David Tennant’s Tenth Doctor.
In a statement, Big Finish said:
“Big Finish has taken the decision to remove Torchwood: Absent Friends from the Monthly Range release schedule and has no plans to publish this title at this time.”
The producers of Doctor Who: Time Fracture also recently confirmed that they would no longer be using a pre-recorded segment featuring Barrowman as part of their immersive experience.
Barrowman was originally scheduled to reprise the role of Captain Jack Harkness for the live event in the form of a pre-recorded clip, but has since been dropped following allegations of exposing himself.
The allegations against Barrowman came after a 2014 video featuring his Doctor Who co-star Noel Clarke resurfaced. In the clip, Clarke, who has been accused of sexual harassment on the set of Doctor Who and denies the allegations, said Barrowman would expose himself on the production. After the clip resurfaced, several crew members spoke to The Guardian about Barrowman’s behaviour, with one alleging that he would “get his genitals out on a regular basis” and that “it was kind of accepted that it was his thing”.
Barrowman addressed the latest allegations in a statement released to The Guardian. He said his “high-spirited behaviour” was “only ever intended in good humour to entertain colleagues on set and backstage”.
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. Since my apology in November 2008, my understanding and behaviour have also changed.”
His apology in November 2008 came after he pulled his trousers down during a BBC Radio 1 interview.
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