How do people in the UK feel about John Barrowman?

Is he washed up? I personally grew up watching doctor who, so the reboot was my fave, I loved the character Captain Jack Harkness and loved Torchwood. But some friends of mine that still live there say he's pretty much the butt of jokes, other wise disappeared and no one really cares about him anymore. Is this true!? Or are my friends just having a laugh?