I Am What I Am, John Barrowman [smart ebook reader .txt] 📗

23. … chartering a private plane to fly through the Canadian Rockies.

24. The result of two vodka tonics while cooking dinner – burned, baby, burned!

25. At home in Sully in air-cast, post-Beckham boot.

26. Say cheese: with Carole, Dad and Scott in the Sully pool.

27. This is my favourite Doctor Who of all time. From l to r: Elisabeth Sladen, Noel Clarke, Camille Coduri, Billie Piper, David Tennant, Freema Agyeman, me, Catherine Tate.

28. Acting’s hungry work. The scene involved chips and I couldn’t resist.

29. It’s tiring work, too, at 4 a.m.

30. At BBC Radio 2 with David and Catherine.

31. With my fellow judge Denise Van Outen, midway through our search to find the perfect Nancy on I’d Do Anything.

32. Me with the final six possible Nancys. Directly after this picture was taken, Scott called with the terrible news about Lewis.

33. She’s a winner: hugging Jodie Prenger backstage.

34. In 2008, I researched the science of homosexuality in the documentary The Making of Me. Here I am in one of the laboratories.

35. Safe Sex Man: this was taken during my book tour for Anything Goes.

36. Tonight’s the night: with my dancers on the set of my very own prime-time Saturdaynight entertainment programme.

37. Does this jacket make my ass look big? Filming my CBBC show Animals at Work, which was broadcast in June 2009.

38. It’s show time: my Music Music Music tour in 2009 was my best yet.

39. Performing ‘Livin’ La Vida Loca’, which always went down a storm.

40. I was thrilled to include a Scottish-themed musical-theatre medley as part of the show. Note James, hmm, in his kilt.

41. My mum and dad joined me on stage for ‘Knock Three Times’, which was an absolute riot.

42. High jinks in Brighton: the band and crew premiered their ‘Rhinestone Gayboy’ video to me. I adored it.

43. Meeting fans on tour before a concert.

44. My dancers trying to do ‘moody’ as well as I do on the poster. I win!

45. Sunbathing with the dancers in Plymouth.

46. My tour family. From l to r: James Gambold (back row); Gavin Barker, Matt Brind, Jamie Talbot, Daniel Ellis, Richard John, Jon Cooper, me, Mum, Dad, Jennie Griffin, James Pusey, Daniel Boys (middle row); Jamie Karitzis, James Robinson, Kate Kelly (front row).

47. In the Royal Albert Hall before one of the most exciting concerts of my life, with Mum, Dad and my best friend and mentor Beverly Holt.

48. On stage, doing what I love.

49. After receiving a standing ovation at the Albert Hall, I was overcome with emotion.

50. In July 2009, I drove a rally car on Fifth Gear. I felt like Speed Racer until I flipped it.

51. On the Torchwood set with my make-up artist Claire Pritchard-Jones, who’s just given me that lovely set of gnashers for an episode in the second season.

52. With Naoko (aka Coco), having dinner after the Hub convention in 2008.

53. Don’t squeeze so hard!

54. A quiet moment between friends on the set of Torchwood, ‘Children of Earth’.

55. In a warehouse filming ‘Children of Earth’.

56. Eve, Gareth and me preparing to reveal Ianto’s death.

57. Stealing a quiet moment in Jack’s office.

58. It’s bloody cold here! Filming the final scene of ‘Children of Earth’.

59. Same night, same problem.

60. Laughter makes Eve and me warmer.

61. On the set of ‘Children of Earth’, enjoying a banana (part one).

62. Taking a moment between takes.

63. Enjoying a banana (part two).

64. Getting prepped for Jack to be buried alive, with Phil Shellard’s help – and yes, I am naked.

65. Reviewing my lines before an emotional scene with Jack’s daughter.

66. Chatting with director Euros Lyn between scenes.

67. Life has a funny way of joining up the dots: from standing outside a US ammunition store with Carole and Andrew, aged four … to getting some gun practice on the set of Doctor Who series one.

68. Thanks to some Torchwood-style driving, all but my car survived this accident in Bridgend.

69. Torchwood is not only important in my life, but also in my family’s. Here I am with Carole on set.

70. Clare, Gareth and me at Comic-Con. The rickshaw race was the same night.

71. This is the dinner that led to the rickshaw race in San Diego.

72. Scott and Clare feeling the pressure of Comic-Con.

73. At the 2008 Hub convention, I learned not to sit on coffee tables.

74. Whatever the future holds, ‘I am what I am’.

FOOTNOTES

CHAPTER ONE

1 My sister, Carole, had to have a lie-down the first time she ‘encountered’ my Dalek – and she knew it was there.

2 Yes, I do have a ‘relax’ mode.

3 Mum! Carole hit me.

4 Not meant to be in order of importance.

5 On a clear day, I can see the white-peaked tents of the Minehead Butlins. Wave!

6 Thanks, Vageena!

7 An exterior hallway decked out with tile instead of only Glasgow marble (aka concrete).

8 I can rant about those as much as the next guy, but I’ll restrain myself.

9 Salmon, corn on the cob and baked potatoes, all done on my Battlestar Galactica-sized BBQ grill.

CHAPTER TWO

1 I’m kidding, Mum!

2 Okay, so that was Victor Hugo’s lesson via Les Mis.

3 No grans were ever in any real danger in this incident.

4 Serves him right that the entire incident still gives him nightmares.

5 Check out YouTube for the proof.

6 Oh vanity, thy name is John.

7 If you don’t get the reference, then rent the film and watch it with your favourite kids.

8 She said the doll