Actor John Barrowman has revealed how he was secretly axed from a panto in favour of Baywatch star David Hasselhoff.
The Torchwood star was due to play Captain Hook in a lavish version of Peter Pan at the SECC in Glasgow. And, incredibly, he claims he only found out he had been replaced by the hairy-chested star, 62, nicknamed The Hoff, after flicking through a glossy promo for the production.
“The first I knew about it was when I flicked through the panto’s programme and saw a picture of David Hasselhoff,” he said.
The 48-year-old has said he’s “upset” at panto producers and hasn’t let them Hoff the hook.
Barrowman had appeared in panto at the SECC with The Krankies for five years. But last December, in the middle of panto season, it was announced Hasselhoff was taking over the role of Captain Hook.
David Hasselhoff as Captain Hook
Revealing the truth about his departure for the first time, Barrowman added: “I told them I had built something in Glasgow with The Krankies and wanted to continue that. I said ‘If I’m not doing Glasgow I’m not doing panto at all, I’ll just take the year off.’ So that’s what I’ve done.
“I love panto and I’ll miss it. It’s just unfortunate that Qdos (the company behind the panto) and the SECC decided to go down another route. I worked so hard for them and all of a sudden this happened.
“It was difficult for me because I had to go out on stage every night with the audience thinking I’d made the decision not to come back. I still had a blast but it upset me the way they put it out. This is the real story and if anyone contradicts it, they’re lying.”
He thinks he knows why he was replaced.
“My theory is that ticket sales slowed a little last summer and the bosses panicked and felt the line-up had maybe had its day. I said not to panic, things like the Commonwealth Games were going on in the city at the time and I felt that once things were back to normal, everything would be fine and they were. But I think by that time the decision was made.”
Barrowman says he’s not upset The Krankies have chosen to carry on without him.
“I told them they had to make the decision for themselves and I wouldn’t judge them or look at them any differently no matter what they decided. The Krankies will be funny it’ll just be a very different show this year.”
The actor who was injured after falling off a horse during the 2012-13 panto says he’s now looking forward to his first Christmas off in 10 years.
“I’m going to enjoy it with family,” he said.
He said it would be a step in the right direction if he was asked back to the Glasgow panto, but stopped short of saying if he’d accept.
Qdos declined to comment when approached for a response.
Barrowman is at Edinburgh’s Playhouse on June 2 and then the Clyde Auditorium on June 4 as part of his You Raise Me Up concert tour.
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