Latest BBC apology as actor exposes himself – on radio

Published on Monday 1 December 2008 21:38

THE BBC issued the latest in a string of apologies yesterday after TV star John Barrowman exposed himself during a live radio show.

The Glasgow-born star of the Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood performed the act during an interview on the Radio 1 Switch programme aired on Sunday evening.

Though only one complaint was received about the incident, a BBC spokeswoman admitted that the show had "overstepped the mark", and they made an official apology. Barrowman also issued his own apology yesterday for any offence his behaviour had caused.

The West End actor said "light-hearted" banter went too far – and promised it would never happen again. He added: "I apologise for any offence I have caused. I was joining in the light-hearted and fun banter of the show and went too far. I was wrong to do this and it will never happen again.

"I really appreciate the great support I have received from the BBC over the last few years and would never intentionally do anything to undermine the integrity of the corporation."

The incident was triggered during the show, which is presented by Nick Grimshaw and Annie Mac, when Grimshaw asked Barrowman: "You're famous, we're told, for getting your willy out in interviews. Is this going to happen today?"

Barrowman responded by asking: "Is the webcam on?", and when he was told it was, he said he was going to "get it out", amid shouting and laughter.

Annie Mac apologised on air at the end of the programme for any offence the incident may have caused. However, a BBC spokeswoman followed up the on-air apology with a further clarification: "We do feel that the programme overstepped the mark. We acknowledge this and apologised at the end of the live programme."

The BBC stressed that nothing untoward was screened over the internet via the studio webcam, and the show was removed from the BBC iPlayer, which normally lets users listen to radio broadcasts for up to a week after transmission.

The Radio 1 spokeswoman said that it was felt it would be inappropriate for the broadcast still to be available online.

The incident comes in the wake of the investigation into the prank phone calls made to Andrew Sachs by Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand, for Brand's Radio 2 show. Thousands of complaints followed.

IN QUOTES

DURING Sunday's show, presented by Nick Grimshaw and Annie Mac, Grimshaw asked Barrowman: "You're famous, we're told, for getting your willy out in interviews.

"Is this going to happen today?"

Barrowman responded by saying he was going to "get it out", amid shouting and laughter.

He was later heard to say: "I didn't take the whole thing out, but I got my fruit and nuts out."