Barrowman praises 'heroic' Captain Jack

John Barrowman has hailed the ability of his Torchwood character Captain Jack to promote sexual equality.

The actor told The Guardian: "I was doing a signing at a convention and this father brought his son over and he said, 'Do you want Captain Jack's autograph?' and the kid said, 'Yeah, Dad, I don't care if he likes boys, he's still my hero.' And I thought, 'That's why I'm doing this'."

Barrowman added: "I'd love to be a hero and that's why I love playing him, because he is a hero. But then, funnily enough, people have written to me and said I am their 'hero' because of standing up for what I believe in."

> Click here for our review of Torchwood's second season