In the aftermath of Noel Clarke being accused of groping, harassment and bullying by 20 women – allegations he has categorically denied apart from one accusation of making inappropriate comments about a female colleague – videos of the actor and producer have begun circulating online. Most notably, one in which he laughs about John Barrowman ‘taking his dick out every five seconds.’
In the video, where Noel appears on stage as part of a panel, he can be seen talking about working with Barrowman on Doctor Who. Describing working behind the scenes on the show as Noel sits beside two female colleagues, he begins mimicking how Barrowman exposes himself at work.
‘Barrowman’s there taking his dick out every five seconds, just hitting it on everything like that,’ he says, using his microphone to hit the chair and women around him. ‘You can’t help but laugh… he was using [the set] as a drum kit.’
The women next to him laugh, with many online pointing out how forced they seem. ‘One of the key life skills for ladies is perfecting the “laughing along with it” silent scream’ Guardian columnist Marina Hyde tweeted – receiving thousands of likes.
‘The guy is all the time laughing and smiling and taking it out,’ Clarke continued in the video, turning to one woman, and adding, ‘Do you remember the time he put it on your shoulder in the make-up room?’
‘Yes I do,’ she sighs. ‘I didn’t want to say, I was being really polite yesterday but hey.’
It’s an uncomfortable moment to watch, but judging by the numerous reports into Barrowman’s ‘flashing’ habit over the years, it’s not an uncommon conversation surrounding the actor. As the Noel Clarke video began circulating online, at first to showcase Noel joking about a sexual offence, many are now pointing to the many times celebrities have talked about Barrowman exposing himself at work.
In one interview for Doctor Who Magazine, Barrowman and Elizabeth Sladen are being interviewed by Benjamin Cook. Cook asks Sladen if Barrowman ever exposed himself to her and she replies, ‘Not to me. To everyone else, but not to me.’ Barrowmen then chimes in stating ‘Actually, I did get it out quite a few times, but she was looking the other way.’
Barrowman has also been caught doing this live before. In a 2008 BBC Radio 1 broadcast, which was being streamed online on BBC Switch, Barrowman exposed himself during the live broadcast. ‘You're famous, we're told, for getting your willy out in interviews,’ Nick Grimshaw said to Barrowman. ‘Is this going to happen today? Should Annie be careful?'
Barrowman then asked if the webcam was on and when told it was, replied ‘All right, I'll get it out for you then, no problem.’ The webcam was then covered but listeners could hear Annie Mac screaming ‘Oh my God!’ and seconds later, Barrowman responded ‘I didn't take the whole thing out, but I got my fruit and nuts out… I can't believe I've just done that.'
The BBC was forced to apologise after the incident as was Barrowman. 'I apologise for any offence I have caused,' he told The Guardian. '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.'
Doctor Who actor Freema Agyeman spoke out about Barrowman exposing himself that same year, telling The London Paper ‘John will walk about with his chap hanging out, having conversations with people.’ And in a 2018 report by The Sun, an insider claimed he was put on a ‘flashing ban’ while he appeared on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here.’
Now, as these stories circulate online once more, many are Googling ‘Noel Clarke John Barrowman’ in order to find the video where Noel laughs openly about Barrowman. It’s not the only video of Noel many are now looking at differently. In The Guardian investigation into the allegations against him, the topic of naked auditions and the nude sex scenes that followed them are brought up often.
Clarke has not denied that he held naked auditions for his films, in which female actors often appear completely nude, however did deny covertly filming them as numerous women alleged. He also denied mistreating female actors during sex scenes, as others have alleged. But regardless of whether those allegations are proven to be true, there’s no doubt many will feel uncomfortable re-watching the countless sex scenes shot as part of Noel Clarke’s filmography.
Knowing what the women have alleged, which include being pressured into nudity and him sensually stroking one woman between sex scene takes (allegations he denies) there are sure to be more videos associated with Noel that will be watched in a different light now.
Grazia have reached out to Barrowman for comment, but are yet to receive a reply.
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