Of course, don’t just take our word for
it, regarding John Barrowman, or indeed, Gareth David-Lloyd in this month’s
celebration of these two cool stars of Torchwood. Here are what some of the
fans have to say about them.
Kirsty
“The first time I met John was about
fifteen years ago. It was when he was doing a book tour with Carole, the first
time round.
I begged my boss at the time for the day
off so I could go, and surprisingly she said yes. Thankfully! John
wasn’t due to arrive till 2pm, but something told me to go and wait early. Boy
I am glad I did. I got there about 10am, and the queue was already at the end
of the store. I met a few new people and
have actually kept in touch since then.
The second time I met him was at his
second book signing. I was kinda ill, which put a dampener on the day.
But the best time I ever met JB
though? I woke up to a text from my
friend telling me JB was in town, filming Antique Roadshow with Myleen Klass. I
got up, and raced into town. Luckily town is only 5 minutes down the road from
my house. We talked for a while, and he told me he was learning BSL for his
deaf fans.
Then proceeded to shout after me as I
was leaving... um dude?”
Credit
Photos courtesy Kirsty
Price
Katherine
“I've met Barrowman a couple of times.
John is an awesome man. He's always so nice and patient and such a big kid.
It's like meeting a fellow fan. He gives great hugs too.”
Credits
Photo courtesy
Katherine Pozarek
Ruthy of Torchwood Australia
I
have been a fan of Torchwood since Captain Jack Harkness first appeared in
Doctor Who. And let's face it, who
wouldn't love a character like Captain Jack???
I
got heavily involved with the fandom when I took over the Torchwood Australia
Website and Forum in 2008.
I
have met the entire Torchwood team at various conventions and I first met John
Barrowman personally at one of the Hub Conventions in Northampton. I had seen him in concert prior to this, both
in Cardiff and in London. I have to add,
and I think most Torchwood Convention goers would agree, those Hub Conventions
were the best to attend.... they were just so up close and personal and far
surpassed any event that has been held since.
I've been very lucky to attend fan events worldwide, in the UK, Canada
and Australia.
John
is always in fine form and very generous with his time. I remember going to Supanova Sydney with my
friend Caroline, and how John donated some signed photos for a couple of her
students who were massive fans (Caroline is a school teacher) - John wanted to
know all about them, and he had a great chat with Caro. And at that particular event, we went to the
VIP night and I think we spoke to Scott most of the time. It was wonderful to finally have a chance to
have a good chat with him, especially as John was surrounded by a lot of people
so you couldn't really get near him anyway.
I think it might've been this Supanova event when the Tim Tam towers
took off - I think John should've bought shares in Arnott's Biscuits!!! 
One
of the most amazing nights 'with John' was when he performed a one-off concert
in my home state of Queensland in Australia.
He performed this concert in 2019 at the Concert Hall, Queensland
Performing Arts Complex, Brisbane - this is a beautiful venue, quite intimate,
with gorgeous acoustics. I had seen him
in concert a number of times in various places in the UK and I wondered how
this concert would go, being that he would have musicians backing him who
weren't his usual crew. He did though
have Matthew his Musical Director with him on keyboard, and who oversaw the
entire show. I must say, our local
musicians were brilliant, and I REALLY enjoyed the entire concert. It was a great night - we weren't permitted
to take any photos during the concert, but in a way, this was lovely not to
have the distraction of photo taking. My
friend and I had VIP tix, so we attended the meet and greet after the concert,
and had drinks and nibbles, and a photo taken with John.
It
was probably the most memorable night with John in concert, particularly having
him perform here in Australia. It will
be a night I shall never forget.
We
of course all look forward to some normalcy returning, when COVID19 is under
control, and we can travel again and attend these events to see our favourite
actors/performers.
Photos courtesy of
Ruthy
Teejay Peacelover
I’ve always been a fan of John...but
he’s my hero because he saved my life. Knife in hand, headed for the bathroom
to escape the planet once and for all...and John posted a social media post that
arrived just as I walked past my phone, two steps from where I was going to end
it all. Yeah, I was a mess...but all I needed was a distraction to regain some
perspective and pull back from the edge. He gave me that moment...and literally
saved my life. I can’t remember what the post was now...just that his smile,
his laugh, and genuine love of his fans (that’d be ME folks!) got through to me
when nothing else could. So, John Barrowman is my hero...and connected to my
soul in the deepest way possible.
I’ve allowed my love of the man to
become an obsession...in a good way. I’ve used his singing to help calm me when
I’m driving, his panels on YouTube to cheer me up when I needed a laugh, his TV
Shows and audio books (Doctor Who, Torchwood, Arrow, Legends of Tomorrow, Big
Finish Torchwood audios etc) as escapes when I needed head space, and getting
to his events as dreams for me to chase. His smile makes my heart sing, his
laugh is contagious, his relationship with his husband Scott is utterly
beautiful, and love of his dogs is gorgeous, his sense of humour is wicked, and
his innuendo is ‘on point’ 😉
I’ve never had goals before. Ever.
Goal 1, to meet him in person. Check! 2am at Auckland
airport (New Zealand) - yeah, I know, stalker MUCH?! But while he could have
said hi and walked away...he chose to spend time with me and chat for 15 mins
or so while he waited for Scott and Kelsey to get their bags...he asked me to
wait with him. I love him even more for that. He also grabbed my phone and took
photos of me with him, and with Scott when he caught up...unasked for,
blissfully happy moments! Photos taken by John...him just off a plane ‘looking
unshaven and dishevelled’ to use his words, and with me a puffy eyed mess
in the middle of him and Scott! lol Yeah, I cried...he saved my life after all!
I told him. He hugged me. Told me to talk to his fan family if I ever felt that
way again - they’d be there for me, and yeah, they truly have been there for me
because I can share my joy and love of the man with other people who
understand.
He’s a genuinely beautiful man/soul.
Goal 2, to see him do a panel at a convention. Check -
Auckland Armageddon - twice. Auckland Armageddon 2017 - BEST 4 days of my life
- I got hugs and photos and autographs! And I made a great friend, an Aussie no
less 😉
Goal 3, to see him in concert. CHECK!
Melbourne. Omg omg omg. Truly fanbloodytastic concert. AND I listened to him
rehearse for a couple of hours first. Bliss.
Goal 4, to see him at another convention for new stories -
Melbourne check!
Then booked for Brisbane Australia -
Supanova 2018! Check. I’ve since travelled to conventions in Australia
multiple times to see him – and have many photos and hugs and autographs on my
walls now that make me smile every day.
Goal 5, to see John in concert in Glasgow in his Scottish accent,
his home town - Check, 2019. Thanks to the truly excellent planning and
booking skills of an aunty in the UK who knew how the UK systems and trains etc
worked, I then followed John to Edinburgh and nine other UK destinations for
the concert tour - that cost an arm and a leg - but absolutely worth it! VIP
tickets, sound checks, concerts, heaven. Took me a year to pay off the debt for
the trip – totally worth it.
Goal 6, to get his autograph tattooed on my
arm, tried at multiple conventions - finally got the autograph at the sound
check prior to a concert in the UK thanks to another fabulous fan who also
wanted one. We both got them done at the same tattooist between the meet and
greet and the actual show, so I got to show it to John after the show at the
VIP photo session! Lol Got the autograph tattoo from John and Captain Jack’s
too!
Goal 7 - to stay alive to see more of John, to see more concerts,
to hear more of him singing...I finally lost my life long death wish mid 2019
while following his tour around the UK. It shocked me to the core. I’ve never
wanted to be alive before, and I’m really quite stunned I finally kicked the ‘kill
myself’ urge. My obsession with John keeps me alive, happy, and attached to
the planet. He is my anchor, my hero, always there on CD or YouTube etc when I
need him to calm me down or cheer me up or distract me. It’s VERY handy being
able to self-medicate with a fabulous sparkle-tastic person who has SO many
social media posts and shows and CDs to enjoy.
November 2019 - I headed back to the UK, to see John
in concert with his Fabulous Christmas tour. The aim was to get my happy Xmas
vibe back. I lost it years ago. This concert run was HUGELY emotional for him,
and it’s something he’s genuinely excited about (long story) – it was huge for
me too. This last UK trip was extra huge for me as I planned and booked the
whole thing myself (I’m strangely terrified of forms and numbers, and booking
online is all about forms and numbers!), it’s challenged many of my fears and self-doubts
- and I’ve beaten them all thanks to Barrowman.
I was relatively recently identified
with autism. I’m now 52, and was only told I was autistic a couple of years
back. It explains SO much. I’ve always struggled with crowds, travel, forms,
bright lights, noises, textures, overwhelming fears etc etc - since allowing my
Barrowman obsession to flourish I’ve ticked SO many things off my bucket list!
From 4-wheel driving to jumping off the Auckland Sky Tower, to bungee jumping,
to traveling to Australia and the UK alone. He sings to me in the car and at
work on night shift, he’s always there. He is my soul, my joy, my inspiration,
my life. The wonderful relationship he has with his hubby Scott, seeing the
love and life they have together, gives me hope.
John Barrowman is the reason I’m on the
planet, and my reason for staying.
