Doctor Who Actor John Barrowman Faces Fan Fury Over Jodie Whittaker Ratings Claim
Doctor Who star John Barrowman has ignited controversy among the show's dedicated fanbase on social media, following a comment perceived as self-centered regarding Jodie Whittaker's tenure as the Time Lord. The 59-year-old Scottish-American actor, known for his role as Captain Jack Harkness, celebrated his birthday this week, prompting a fan to share cartoon artwork in his honor on X.
Birthday Post Sparks Heated Debate
In the original tribute, a fan wrote: 'Happy 59th Birthday to Mr John Barrowman, who played Captain Jack Harkness (companion to the 9th Doctor and the 10th Doctor) on Doctor Who and Torchwood!' Barrowman retweeted this with an added comment: 'Don't forget 13. I was there to boost the ratings!!!' This reference to Whittaker's incarnation as the thirteenth Doctor, the first woman in the role, has drawn sharp criticism, as her run faced declining viewership under showrunner Chris Chibnall.
Barrowman appeared in a special episode during Whittaker's era, where his character attempted to rescue the Doctor from imprisonment on an asteroid. The episode attracted 6.35 million viewers, compared to the series 12 finale's 4.69 million. However, fans quickly questioned the implication that Whittaker needed assistance with ratings.
Social Media Reactions and Fan Division
In the comments section, Barrowman responded to a fan who called him a 'b****' by writing: 'Why are you so upset? Truth hurts? B**** or not. It's my Birthday!!!' Many users expressed displeasure, with Tammy commenting: 'There is NO WAY you're saying Jodie needed your holy presence to get ratings??? Buddy, she didn't need you at all.' Another user shared a meme reading, 'Get in there and make it about you,' accompanied by an image of a man pointing at his own reflection.
Despite the backlash, some fans supported Barrowman. Vicki wrote: 'And boost the ratings you did! Not watched it since and won't watch it unless you appear.' Alix added: 'Think we'd all like to forget 13... (love Jodie...hated the series)' highlighting the divided opinions within the Doctor Who community.
Context and Future of Doctor Who
Doctor Who is available to stream on BBC iPlayer, with a Christmas special scheduled for release later this year. Representatives for John Barrowman have been contacted for comment by Metro, but no official statement has been issued at this time. The incident underscores ongoing discussions about fan culture and celebrity interactions on social media platforms.
