Doctor Who: John Barrowman return ruled out of series 13 despite Captain Jack Harkness comeback

John Barrowman starred as Captain Jack Harkness in Doctor Who and Torchwood (Picture: BBC/BBC World Wide Productions/Starz)

Doctor Who star John Barrowman won’t be returning for series 13 of the sci-fi despite fan speculation.

After the Captain Jack Harkness actor reprised his role for series 12 and made an explosive appearance in the Christmas special, rumours circulated that there may have been plans for Barrowman to return once again.

However, the actor’s appearance in the Christmas special was actually a ‘one-off’.

A source told Metro.co.uk that any suggestion he was set to return is ‘totally inaccurate’.

‘There were never any plans for John to return to Doctor Who. His appearance in the Christmas special was always planned to be a one off,’ they added.

While details about series 13 have been thin on the ground, fans were recently blessed with a panel all about the upcoming series, which revealed that Game of Thrones star Jacob Anderson has been cast as recurring character Vinder.

On landing the role, the actor said he was thrilled to be joining the show he was such a big fan of growing up.

‘The Doctor has been a part of my life forever, from watching and rewatching the serials on VHS as a kid and being terrified, to unexpectedly finding my eyes watering when the Tenth Doctor said “I don’t want to go”, I always wanted to live in the Whoniverse,’ Jacob shared.

‘Not only has a lifelong dream of mine now been fulfilled, but to be playing a character as fun, adventurous and dynamic as Vinder is the cherry on top. This is very cool.’

He’ll be joining the returning Doctor, Jodie Whittaker, as well as Mandip Gill who plays returning companion Yaz, and John Bishop, who’s joining the cast as Dan.

Jacob Anderson will join the cast as Vinder (Picture: BBC)

As well as the new casting, showrunner Chris Chibnall revealed that series 13 will be ‘all one story’ as opposed to the traditional episodic format of the show.

It’s a huge change of direction for the series – and fans are hyped to see where it goes.

Barrowman came under fire earlier this year after he admitted to ‘tomfoolery’ while filming Torchwood, after two former runners came forward with allegations that he would ‘get his genitals out on a regular basis’.

Barrowman came under fire earlier this year (Picture: BBC Worldwide Productions/Starz/BBC)

He told the Guardian that his behaviour was ‘only ever intended in good humour to entertain colleagues on set and backstage’.

More recently, Barrowman has insisted to the Daily Mail’s Weekend magazine that his actions were to ‘defuse any awkwardness on set’ and there was ‘absolutely nothing sexual about my actions and nor have I ever been accused of that’.

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After facing backlash on social media the TV star also explained he has begun therapy, which is ongoing, at the suggestion of his husband Scott Gill.

Doctor Who series 13 will air on BBC One later this year.

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