IS THERE a void in the space-time continuum somewhere on Hope Street, with an army of Cybermen poised to break through and “upgrade” all Liverpudlians into versions of their own image?

Or maybe its an outbreak of Weevils, who’ve lumbered their way up north from Cardiff, that is drawing Doctor Who assistants to the city.

Because two weeks ago we had Sarah-Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen) introducing a concert at the Philharmonic Hall, and later this month Captain Jack Harkness will be making his way to the art deco concert hall.

John Barrowman, singer, dancer, TV presenter and dashing hero of Doctor Who spin-off, Torchwood, is currently touring the UK, taking in 17 venues.

His repertoire is made up of “songs I’ve always loved”, including those made famous by Bette Midler, Elaine Paige and Joni Mitchell.

“I’m different things to different people and that’s a nice thing for me,” he says.

“I can be Mr Saturday Night entertainment, I can be the edgy Captain Jack on Torchwood, and the child-friendly one on Dr Who, and then I can let my hair down a bit on stage in the evening.”

Although Captain Jack is a lone traveller through life, outliving everyone he draws close to, in real life the performer is very close to his family – his mum and dad may even be in the audience at the Phil, despite living on the other side of the Atlantic.

“They’re my biggest fans,” says Barrowman, 42.

“I speak to them almost every other day, sometimes every day.

“Last year, they went on my concert tour with me, this year they’ll be doing the same thing.