Ashley Banjo has revealed he is ‘very sad’ to see John Barrowman depart the judging panel on Dancing On Ice.
ITV previously confirmed John, 54, will not form part of the panel for the upcoming series of the skating show, five months after he apologised for exposing himself on Doctor Who sets in historic incidents.
Speaking to the Daily Star on Sunday, Ashley, 33, said he has been in touch with John since his axing from the show.
Co-stars: Ashley Banjo has revealed he is ‘very sad’ to see John Barrowman depart the judging panel on Dancing On Ice
He said: ‘I’m very sad to see John leave the show. I’m going to miss him. I sent him a little message to say, “You will be missed, John”.’
Ashley joined the judging panel of Dancing On Ice in 2018 alongside Christopher Dean and Jayne Torvill while John joined in 2019.
Ashley emphasised that he plans on staying friends with John, saying: ‘We’re all human’.
The television personality previously admitted to ‘tomfoolery’ on the sets of Doctor Who.
Axe: ITV previously confirmed John, 54, (second from left) will not form part of the judging panel for the upcoming series of the skating show, five months after he apologised for exposing himself on Doctor Who sets in historic incidents
He began playing Captain Jack Harkness in 2005 and spin-off series Torchwood a year later.
Of the axing, a source told The Sun: ‘This will be devastating for him. Clearly ITV feel it’s not a good look to have someone like John centre-stage on a family-friendly show.’
An ITV spokesperson told MailOnline John will not return to the dancing show but will be seen on the channel again when he returns to host All Star Musicals.
Representatives for the channel said: ‘We thank John Barrowman for two brilliant years on the Dancing on Ice panel and are pleased to be working with him again as host of the forthcoming All Star Musicals specials.’
A show insider added ‘John has not been “sacked” from Dancing on Ice and we continue to work with him at ITV’.
Ashley said: ‘I’m very sad to see John leave the show. I’m going to miss him. I sent him a little message to say, “You will be missed, John”‘
John’s team said: ‘John is thrilled to be returning to work for ITV as host on the new All Star Musicals’ but declined to comment on his departure from the skating show.
Former Strictly judge Arlene Phillips, 78, has been tipped to be his replacement.
No charges were brought against the media personality after allegations about him exposing himself were revealed in May following more serious allegations of sexual harassment against his Doctor Who co-star Noel Clarke.
The incidents came to light in a resurfaced video on YouTube from 2014 and filmed at sci-fi convention, Chicago Tardis.
It was released by The Guardian newspaper which had investigated Clarke’s behaviour on the Doctor Who set.
Pals: Ashley emphasised that he plans on staying friends with John, saying: ‘We’re all human’
In an interview in front of a live audience, Clarke is seen regaling fellow cast members Annette Badland and Camille Coduri with tales of John’s behaviour on the set of Doctor Who, exposing himself ‘every five seconds’.
Noel then joked with the audience not to do this at their workplace or they might go to prison in the shocking unearthed clip.
Clarke apologised ‘deeply’ for his actions and said he will be seeking professional help, but has ‘vehemently’ denied sexual misconduct or criminal behaviour.
In an interview with Weekend magazine, John said his behaviour on set was to ‘defuse awkwardness’ whenever he was filming a sex scene in Torchwood.
He said: ‘As Captain Jack Harkness I was the star of Torchwood, so I felt it was down to me to lead the company and keep them entertained. When I was doing a nude scene or a love scene it was clear in the script I’d be naked and everyone would have known about that at least 48 hours in advance.
Replacement? Former Strictly judge Arlene Phillips, 78, has been tipped to be his replacement (pictured on Strictly in 2008)
‘So I’d be waiting in my trailer wearing just a robe with a sock over my “parts”. Then, if I were standing waiting to film a scene where I needed to be nude and someone came into view, I’d make a joke to put them and myself at ease.
‘My actions were simply designed to defuse any potential awkwardness among the cast and crew.’
He added: ‘I’ve never been someone who’s embarrassed about his body so it didn’t bother me if anyone saw me naked. The motivation for what I’d call my “tomfoolery” was to maintain a jokey atmosphere. There was absolutely nothing sexual about my actions and nor have I ever been accused of that.’
John revealed he was called for a meeting with Doctor Who and Torchwood executive producer Julie Gardner who told him to reign in his behaviour.
Explanation: John said his ‘high-spirited behaviour’ was ‘only ever intended in good humour’ to entertain colleagues – and not sexual harassment (pictured filming Doctor Who in 2007)
The actor added he can now see his behaviour was ‘juvenile’ and it would not be something he would do today.
It comes after John told The Guardian his ‘high-spirited behaviour’ was ‘only ever intended in good humour’ to entertain colleagues on set and backstage – and not sexual harassment as he apologised for his past behaviour.
‘With the benefit of hindsight, I understand that upset may have been caused by my exuberant behaviour and I have apologised for this previously,’ he said. ‘Since my apology in November 2008, my understanding and behaviour have also changed.’
He said: ‘Since my apology in November 2008, my understanding and behaviour have also changed’