John Barrowman on his fame, his partner and the role that got away...

The wonderful John Barrowman, star of the "Dr. Who" spinoff "Torchwood," gave an in-depth interview to Who recently and opened up about a lot of subjects including the fact that he was offered the role of Rob Lowe's gay brother [and Matthew Rhys' lover] on ABC's "Brtothers & Sisters." He and Lowe became frends when they co-starred in "A Few Good Men" on the London stage a few years back and Lowe recommended him foir the role. But Barrowman is far too busy these days with roles in two hit series on the BBC.
Here are some of the interview highlights:

On his new level of fame: " I've had a great career with musicals and other stuff I've done in the past so I've never been in the doldrums, but with Torchwood and Doctor Who I've become a household name and a celebrity and I'm hooked. I'm totally grateful for it. I would not change it for the world. The Torchwood audience have made a little boy's dreams come true."

On the sexuality his character of Capt. Jack Harkness: "Anything with a postcode Jack will shag! He has been known to have a shag with an alien. Male or female, Jack will do it. What's absolutely spectacular that we found in the UK is that young people, be it male or female, actually don't care that he has sexual relations with men or women. They're more into the hero aspect of it and the fact he's such a cool guy."

On losing the lead in "Will & Grace" to Eric McCormack: "I auditioned for Will and they told me I was too straight! I just laughed because I even get now women saying to me, 'You can't be gay' and I'm like, 'Well, I am', and they're like, 'No, you can't be', and I'm like 'I am!' I'm really proud to say I'm a guy who likes guys and I guy things, like cars and watching sport. You don't have to be a flounce to be a gay man–there's nothing wrong with that but there are other sides. That's what I wish the American media would grasp a hold of."

On actors being closeted: "I can understand why and I don't believe in outing people because I think there might be issues with the person they need to go through but I do believe if somebody lies about their sexuality for the sake of their career they're being detrimental to the rest of the people who are out there trying to make it a normality. I know quite a few people who try to cover it up and I think it's completely wrong. "

On signing a civil partnership with Scott Gill last year: "...it has taken us to a different level because you actually see that person in a different light when they're standing there and saying those words, saying they're committing themselves to spend the rest of their life with you no matter what happens."

To read the complete interview, check it out on the Who site.