John Barrowman banked a huge £30,000 appearance fee despite quitting Celebrity: SAS Who Dares Wins a mere 32 minutes into filming, MailOnline can reveal.
The actor, 57, has been dubbed the ‘worst recruit’ in the show’s history after he told Directing Staff ‘I’m done’ adding: ‘I just… it’s not for me, I know who I am and what I’m about, it’s not for me’ following his arrival on set.
But the ex-Dancing On Ice judge, who was sacked from the ITV series in 2021 after he apologised for flashing on the set of Doctor Who, will still be paid his lucrative fee in full for his short stint on the Channel 4 programme.
A TV source told MailOnline bosses were ‘furious’ he gave up the challenge after being flown to New Zealand only to leave the course within half an hour.
John, who earned a staggering £937.50 per minute for his appearance, claims he quit the series not because of the gruelling physical demands but due to suffering from food poisoning, which caused him to feel unwell and even vomit.
John Barrowman banked a huge £30,000 appearance fee despite quitting Celebrity: SAS Who Dares Wins a mere 32 minutes into filming, MailOnline can reveal
The actor has been dubbed the ‘worst recruit’ in the show’s history after he told Directing Staff ‘I’m done’ adding: ‘I just… it’s not for me, I know who I am and what I’m about, it’s not for me’
An insider said: ‘Channel 4 are fuming because John knew what he was getting himself in for, he’s no stranger to the show.
‘He was flown all the way out to New Zealand, having featured in the promos and press shots back in the UK, and to pull out so early is such a wasted opportunity.
‘Bosses thought getting John on board was a big coup and believed he would be keen to talk about his story and hit back at some doubters. But to leave so early into the series was a huge disappointment.’
The source added: ‘Due to the terms of his contract, John will still be paid in full, which is more than some other contestants who progress much further into the process earn for their appearance.’
John vowed to take the process seriously and said his mission was to show viewers his true self after he was accused of flashing.
He said: ‘The press made the allegation that I was going around putting my d*** on everybody’s shoulders. Having that happen to me ruined me, this course is going to help me push through this and I want people to see the kind of person that I really am.’
ITV axed John from Dancing On Ice in 2021 after he was accused of repeatedly exposing himself on set of TV shows.
The actor, who starred on BBC’s Doctor Who and spin-off Torchwood, insisted his flashing was ‘only ever intended in good humour’ and not in a sexual nature.
MailOnline has contacted Channel 4 for comment.
The ex-Dancing On Ice judge will still be paid his lucrative fee in full for his short stint on the Channel 4 programme
John confirmed that the producers on the show were keen for him to stay but he couldn’t be convinced
He told ITV’s Lorraine that he doesn’t regret quitting the show after 32 minutes because he knows who he is and the most important thing is receiving love from his family
Speaking to ITV’s Lorraine on Monday, John said: ‘The idea behind it was I thought it would give you a chance to tell the story and the show itself helps people come to terms with things they are struggling with or have gone through and that’s why I did it. And also, I do like a challenge.’
He added: ‘But I know who John Barrowman is and I’m starting to get sick, I need to make a conscious decision if I’m going to continue here and that was it… I said I’m out because I didn’t think I could do it if I was sick.
‘For me to make that decision and now having come out and thinking about it, it was the best decision I ever made and best decision to do the show because it did exactly what it was meant to for me but just in a short period of time.’
John confirmed that the producers on the show were keen for him to stay but he couldn’t be convinced.
He said: ‘They tried to talk me out of it, and they tried to keep me in, and I understand why but, in my head, I had made the decision, and I know I made the right decision.
‘I know who John Barrowman is and no matter what the trolls say, I know that my mum loves me, my dad loves me, my family loves me, my friends love me, and that’s the most important thing.’
John appeared on the show with fellow recruits Rachel Johnson, Pete Wicks, Bobby Norris, Georgia Harrison, and Marnie Simpson.
Their first task was to walk across two parallel bars that were suspended 335ft above Skippers Canyon.
During the crossing, the celebrities were also required to perform multiple manoeuvres before reaching the other side.
John was the first recruit to attempt the challenge, but he failed to achieve the mission.
