GAY SCI-FI STAR TOLD TO STAY IN CLOSET

John Barrowman, the openly gay star of the hit British sci-fi series Torchwood, has revealed that he was told by TV bosses to stay in the closet, reports the UK Times.

The revelation is included in his new autobiography I Am What I Am, which is published this week.

Barrowman, who has found global success playing the bisexual character Captain Jack Harkness, writes that he was told that he would have to pretend to be straight if he wanted to be a successful actor.

He said that he responded: “I really hope you’re not saying this, because I’m not going in the closet for you or anyone. You’ve hired me to be a professional, not to have sex. Being a gay man has nothing to do with my abilities on this show.”

He added that he was even more furious that a gay producer had been sent to discuss the matter with him.

Barrowman has refused to reveal which company or television broadcaster made the demand, but he noted that he later received an apology for the incident.

“One of my explicit missions as an entertainer is to work to create a world where no one will ever make a statement like this producer did to me to anyone who’s gay,” the actor said.