Barrowman came out after AIDS scare

John Barrowman has revealed that he came out to his parents at the age of 21 after a serious AIDS scare.

The openly gay Torchwood star said he became ill while starring in The Phantom Of The Opera in 1992 and was terrified that he had contracted the disease.

He immediately rushed home to tell his parents the news, although they later admitted they were not surprised.

He said: "I was ill and had a low grade fever and stomach cramps. I'd been sexually active and I feared the worst.

"I flew home to see my family. My parents and I sat at the table and I said: 'I'm gay and I need an HIV test. They admitted it hadn't been a revelation.'

"Ultimately the test came back negative. It seemed my family knew I was gay. So much for my bombshell news."

Barrowman recently said he is keen to continue playing Captain Jack Harkness in Torchwood for several more years.

> Click here for our interview with John Barrowman and the cast of Torchwood