I haven't watched the video, but based on recaps, I tend to think he's playing to the audience, you know give them what he thinks the majority wants. I read one review in which an attendee stated she believed the flirtatious overtone between he and James Marsters was complete fanservice. And really, the way some people seem to melt over John Barrowman’s rather colorful way of sharing and expressing himself, who could blame Gareth for believing it's what the Jack/Ianto, Ianto fandom wants.

Yes, a definite improvement on his looks in general.