John Barrowman has claimed that he used to lie about his sexuality so he would be approved for a mortgage with his husband Scott Gill.

The star, 52, said on Friday's Loose Women that he did not reveal he was gay when he filled in the applications for a new home, as he could be asked to take a HIV test before it was approved.

It came as John praised ITV bosses for their 'groundbreaking decision to introduce a male same-sex pairing for the new series of Dancing On Ice.

John is set to make his debut on Sunday's Dancing On Ice as the new addition to the judging panel, and he spoke on Loose Women about the introduction of a same-sex pairing. 

Steps singer Ian 'H' Watkins will take to the ice with professional skater Matt Evers, in a pairing that has already been praised by fans.

John said that he's long championed the inclusion of members of the LGBTQ community, after having to hide his sexuality in the past.

He said: 'I think it is groundbreaking globally, ITV hats off to ITV, in a reality show I will say to all reality shows being a gay man myself, finally someone on TV that represents who I am, looks like myself and my husband.

'Every show on TV should have a same sex couple or a trans couple that represents the society we live in today.'

John then noted that when he and Scott tried to get a mortgage years earlier, despite being civil partners their relationship was not recognised.

He said: 'It has hugely changed over the past few years, but it wasn't long ago until we had to lie about who we were to get a mortgage. 

'I had to say it was an investment, it was illegal to be gay. Sorry not illegal it was not looked on as a [legal partnership].'

Explaining that the mortgage applications used to contain a box that had to be ticked if you identified as gay, John added: 'It's not someone's right to make you go have a test, that's your choice to determine your status. It was terrible and we've come a long way.'

In later years strict guidelines have been introduced to prevent members of the LGBTQ community from being prevent from applying for mortgages.

In 2010 The Equality Act also made it illegal for someone to be discriminated against on grounds of sexual orientation.

John also spoke about his upcoming judging stint on Dancing On Ice, and said he'll be more focused on the entertainment of the performance rather than the technical elements.

The I'm A Celebrity star also reminisced with host Andrea McLean, after they both appeared on the show's first ever series back in 2006. 

He said: 'It was a huge challenge it was something it was new, now the skaters are with their pros and partners and they're training them. 

'Torvill and Dean did that, it is a huge challenge, people say oh they skated before when they were younger but it is not the same.

'You have to dance on ice and that is the point of the show. Your elements are all there but it's a very safe performance.'

'I'm not gonna be someone whose feeling sorry for me if you haven't put in the time or the training. I'm there to see if it's showbiz, I wanna be entertained and if you're not I'm gonna call you on it. 

'I'm my own judge, and we've had judges in the past who have been their own judge. I'm gonna be completely different. I'm gonna be honest and truthful and that's what it's all about.'

Offering some advice for Stacey Solomon's boyfriend Joe Swash - who is also competing on the show - he added: 'Joe is like a puppy, I want to see him contain that energy on the ice and bring it focus it on rather than being all over the place.

'If he continues with that attitude he would be, he needs to spend time on the elements, get the technique down first.'

Dancing On Ice returns on Sunday at 6pm on ITV. Loose Women airs weekdays from 12:30pm on ITV.