McLachlan immediately filed defamation action against The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, the ABC and an actress over the news reports last year. Craig McLachlan was loved by everyone in the entertainment industry until he was shunned after media reports accused the actor of indecent assault and harassment, a defamation trial has been told. The document alleges in 2008, Mr McLachlan harassed 22-year-old Josie Steele who was working as a runner on the TV show City Homicide. A friend has told his defamation trial the actor had been loved in the entertainment industry until he was accused of indecent assault and harassment. Victoria Police later charged him with seven counts of indecent assault and six counts of common law assault against four women on the set of the Rocky Horror Show in 2014. ", "Hope your lives are good. Post continues below. In either event, they are to the best of my knowledge utterly and entirely false.". Just to clarify, that's objectively not the suggestion. In delivering the judgment in December 2020, Victorian Magistrate Belinda Wallington made a number of unusual statements. 'I would sit there because really at that point, all you can think about is, 'Nessie is going to be better off. Nothing says 'false allegations' like lightning. But once McLachlan argues thatthose remarks were just a result of the 'Vinestein' context (he really does say Vinestein instead of Weinstein, as in Harvey Weinstein, at one point), we move on to the issue that upsets him the most: the friend who betrayed him. Itreveals new allegations by actress Tamzen Hayes that Mr McLachlan sexually harassed her when she was playing the role of a corpse and gave her an unwanted, open-mouthed kiss during filming of season 2 of the Dr Blake Mysteries in 2014. The actor is now suing the ABC, Fairfax and an actress for defamation over the 2018 reports. The former Neighbours star sat there and contemplated taking his own life, six months after facing sexual harassment allegations from his former co-stars in a popular musical. Outside his lawyers office after his acquittal, McLachlan said he put his trust in the law. Thankfully, as it turns out, it didn't play out,' he said. What? Even though I've never forced people sexual favours, I've never locked anyone in a hotel room and told them to give me a handy? We're introduced to the actor, looking dishevelled, saying it's March 2019 and there has been no resolution or vindication when it comes to the allegations against him. In the end, it was perhaps McLachlans ongoing sense of entitlement that brought him undone. Australian actor Craig McLachlan has been found not guilty of allegations that he assaulted four women during a Melbourne stage show. Vanessa explains thatshe saw the cast every day and never even witnessed a "mild flirtation". It is outrageous. On the Sunday night, before the 7.30 Report ran on Monday January 8, 2018, McLachlan says he stood on stage at the Rocky Horror Show and heard the crowd's cheers. Vanessa encourages him to take a break, and as he walks out of the room, he shouts thathe can't remember the last time he was able to wake up in the morning with a smile. But after the publications, he became very worried McLachlan would take his own life. ''We could compare Craig to Harvey Weinstein.' "What a f*cking disgrace. 'Through the little slits in the curtain, we can see the position of their legs and which way they're facing,' Mr Lawrence told the program on Sunday night. Attempting to explain the outburst,Scammell told the interviewers: 'He's been abandoned by everybody. Moment commuter blasts eco-zealots, Unseen footage of Meghan Markle during her teenage years, Russian freight train derails and bursts into flames after explosion, Royal superfans camping on The Mall ahead of King's Coronation, Historic chairs to be reused by the King for the coronation service, Women's rights activists and pro-trans campaigners separated, Saboteurs wreck Russian train cut power cables 37mi from Ukraine, Braverman: People crossing Channel are 'at odds with British values', Cambridge students party in the park during annual celebrations, Devastating tornado picks up car and hurls it through air in Florida, Student kicked out of school for 'there are only two genders' t-shirt, Hundreds of Household Division members rehearse for coronation. Craig McLachlan in a promo for his exclusive interview with Channel 7 Bias is a funny thing. ", 'Are you kidding me? It happens to men who journalists methodically gather a bunch of reliable sources to speak out against. 'When we parted the curtain, you could actually see him in that position.'. Yes, I mucked in with the rest of them, I tried to give as good as I got. Mr McLachlan has always maintained his innocence. The allegations are contained in the ABC's defence in defamation proceedings which Mr McLachlan brought against the national broadcaster in 2018. Over an hour and a half, Seven aired an interview with the actor and his partner, pianist and conductor Vanessa Scammel, alongside diary-style footage taken over the last few years, about the serious criminal charges that (almost) cost him his career. (I thought) How am I gonna survive this?, RELATED: Lewd footage of Craig McLachlan airs in court. Even though I've never forced people sexual favours, I've never locked anyone in a hotel room and told them to give me a handy? he continued. '[The girl who] texted us continually? A member of the crew commented with words to the effect of 'Come on Craig, we need to get this shot'. log'. '[The girl who] texted us continually? The Australian actor has always maintained his innocence. Mr McLachlan was not part of the scene and was asked to attend hair and makeup. "Samson was so surprised by the incident that she forgot her lines. It's with this context that we begin the controversial Craig McLachlan interview. She felt very awkward and uncomfortable about her interaction with McLachlan for the entire trip. Performer Daniel Thompson tells defamation trial the media reports shattered McLachlan and he worried the actor would take his own life. Image: Seven. The 7NEWS Spotlight documentary will be the first time Craig McLachlan has spoken publicly since he was dropped from the Channel 7 drama series The Doctor Blake Mysteries in 2018.. McLachlan's career came to a halt after several female cast members on the 2014 . McLachlan says he has not worked in three years, but revealed on Sunday night he will next appear in a one-man show about the life of country singer Hank Williams in South Australia. All rights reserved. Australian actor Craig McLachlan can be seen breaking down in the trailer for his upcoming emotionally-charged interview. At least, that was the official title of the tell-all special. McLachlans character said scripted words to the effect of she was beautiful. Mr McLachlan first appeared on Australian television screens 34 years ago in 1987 as Henry Ramsay on Neighbours. What? McLachlan stormed away, screaming from off camera: 'F**k people. Craig McLachlan was a soap star with a hit single in the UK when he appeared on the children's TV show TV host Jeanne Downs says she decided to go public after Mr McLachlan's recent interview on Channel 7 Mr McLachlan denies any wrongdoing, saying Ms Downs's claim is false He was very pleasant, welcoming, friendly, fun and hard working. You're referring to that individual? Ms Norfolk also alleges Mr McLachlan asked her to attend his dressing room during an interval to fix his microphone. And thunder. First, she praised the accusers as "brave and honest witnesses". She described the four complainants as brave and honest witnesses who had not colluded and were not motivated by career ambition. Source: Facebook/@Sunrise, not guilty of seven indecent assault charges and six common assault charges. Other allegations include that Mr McLachlan had kissed Ms Hayes in a carpark. Seven "I want the world to know that I am sitting here today 100 per cent acquitted. The defamation trial had been postponed until the criminal proceedings in Melbourne finished and is now expected to proceed. The one I worked with for two years? McLachlan's partner Vanessa is playing piano and we're shown sweeping shots of the beach. After 10 days of presenting his case, McLachlan pulled the pin on the very day 11 women were due to start giving evidence about the actor, including incidents of sexual harassment, indecent exposure, indecent assault and bullying. Since then, the 55-year-old has appeared on Home and Away, McLeod's Daughters and The Wrong Girl. 'And I think, after three and a half years, after not being able to speak, the ability to actually let it out' she trailed off, before nodding when asked if it was 'too much'. Channel 7 is facing a backlash over its airing of a tell all interview with actor Craig McLachlan. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. And this is when things become truly bizarre. The stage crew member, claiming to be centimetres away watching McLachlan and his accuser when the alleged act occurred, supported McLachlan's claims - saying it wouldn't have been physically possible. Without context, this footage is confusing. I was public enemy number one. May 17, 2021 - 3:24PM. McLachlan stormed away, screaming from off camera: 'F**k people. Craig McLachlan first appeared on Australian television in a guest role on The Young Doctors. This doesn't seem relevant. The reporting of these types of stories is something that is not taken lightly. REVIEW: He hid in a shipping crate for months with just. Arrogance and entitlement finally caught up with McLachlan. It's news when you want it, from Australia's most trusted news organisation.For more from ABC News, click here: https://ab.co/2kxYCZYWatch more ABC News content ad-free on iview: https://ab.co/2OB7Mk1Go deeper on our ABC News In-depth channel: https://ab.co/2lNeBn2Like ABC News on Facebook: http://facebook.com/abcnews.auFollow ABC News on Instagram: http://instagram.com/abcnews_auFollow ABC News on Twitter: http://twitter.com/abcnews#ABCNews #ABCNewsAustralia You're referring to that girl?' , updated Post continues below. The defence document alleges: "During one ofher scenes with McLachlan, Samson and McLachlan were required to stand close together facing each other and engage in dialogue.". An even better time in 2017,' he rambled on, breaking down in angry tears. This was after he said he lost one phone and destroyed another. The Gold Logie-winning actor sat side by side with his partner, Vanessa Scammell, who has been his staunch supporter throughout the allegations. 'When the story first broke and I went shopping for my dear mum, a woman spotted me in the shop and called her two kids over [to her]. In an explosive interview with 7NEWS Spotlight, which aired on Sunday, the actor, 55, was seen in self-filmed video clips, sitting on what he called the 'Will I? McLachlan and his partner reenact the scene, in extensive detail, showing at what point the kiss happened and how long it was for. Ms Wallington labelled the actors behaviour as egocentric and said his self-entitled sense of humour may have led him to believe the victims were consenting to his acts. All times AEST (GMT +10). Image: Seven. On national television. Broadcast: Mon 31 May 2021, 8:50pm Published: Mon 31 May 2021, 9:22pm More Information Judgment, Magistrate's Court of Victoria, R v McLachlan, 15 December, 2020 Transcript The defamation trial had been postponed until the criminal proceedings in Melbourne finished and is now expected to proceed. Also in the defence document, Tim Maddren, a former star of the children's musical group Hi-5, alleges Mr McLachlan bullied and threatened him after he refused to play along with an on-stage joke involving Mr McLachlan simulating masturbation and oral sex on Mr Maddren's finger. The allegations became public after one of his alleged victims went public following the worldwide scandal involving disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein. "He also moved as if to tickle her. Craig McLachlan sat down with Channel 7 for a tell-all interview after being acquitted of sexual harassment allegations. The preview for the interview is so lengthy that we think the show has started, but it turns out we're just watching clips of footage that we'll see repeated shortly. If you think you may be experiencing depression or another mental health problem, please contact your general practitioner. He had endured months of scrutiny which saw him and his partner Vanessa forced to make their way through media packs outside of a Melbourne court. There was an error submitting the form. For confidential support call the Lifeline 24-hour crisis support on: 13 11 14, By Across fashion, footwear, homewares and health; cruises, tours and package holidays; news, views and media. However, she ultimately rejected police allegations the former Neighbours star touched a womans genitalia over her costume on stage, that he stuck his tongue into one womans mouth and that he felt up a womans thigh. The 55-year old actor is now suing the ABC, Fairfax (now part of Nine) and an actress for defamation over 2018 reports that he indecently assaulted, harassed and bullied his fellow cast members. "Hayes was wearing underwear and covered by a sheet. was found not guilty of all charges in a 105 page decision by magistrate Belinda Wallington, which had related to his time starring in the Rocky Horror Picture Show and left him on the brink of suicide. And McLachlan surfing at night. The revelations come on the eve of a Channel 7 documentary "Horror Show" featuring Mr McLachlan, in which the actor denies allegations that he sexually harassed another three female co-stars in the 2014 stage production of The Rocky Horror Show. McLachlan: Did you see my nipples getting hard? I can't win. The power dynamic was very mismatched.". Ms Hayes played the role of Virginia McKay in season two of Dr Blakein 2014 and was on set for three days of filming. Not so fast: Tony Abbott calls for the Voice referendum to be cancelled, Australians have been scared off loans and thats exactly what the RBA wants, Welfare payment boost expected for people aged over 55, Why was Bruce Lehrmann given the all-clear to sue? 'There's an en suite and dunny down the end. 'When the story first broke and I went shopping for my dear mum, a woman spotted me in the shop and called her two kids over [to her]. 'I could name the supermarket. Actor Craig McLachlan is set to return to performing, more than 3 years after allegations surrounding The Rocky Horror Show in 2014 made headlines.. McLachlan will star as Hank Williams in a one man play, Nobody Lonesome For Me, to be directed by Terry Serio in Adelaide later this year. On the first day of filming, Hayes was required to play a dead woman in a scene shot inside a room set up to look like a morgue, the defence document says. On May 16, Channel Seven aired its Craig McLachlan "tell-all" interview, Spotlight: Horror Show, which marked the actor's first media interview since his acquittal, where he was found not guilty of all charges. She did not fix his microphone and walked out of the dressing room," the document says. Watch McLachlan v ABC We address allegations an ABC producer 'coached' Craig McLachlan's female accusers during a TV interview. Christie Whelan Browne spoke out so others would not have to suffer. At many points, but particularly here, it seems like Sevenare trying to show us how talented he is, which isn't the point, really. Before the interview had even begun, furious viewers took to social media to slam both the actor and the TV station and continued throughout the screening, with many saying they had to change the channel. Craig McLachlan Interview on Dentons "Enough Rope" - 1 of 3 Joe Bananas 210 subscribers Subscribe 43K views 16 years ago Craig Mclachlan from Andrew Dentons tv show "Enough Rope". The thing that Im alleged to have done to my friend, a visibly emotional McLachlan says. "Hayes was in shock and did not know what to do. The woman does notrepeat the words of the ABC producer, and instead uses her own words to point to McLachlan's influence. The document, released to the ABC this week by the NSW Supreme Court, details fresh allegations by three actresses, as well as allegations that he bullied and intimidated The Rocky Horror Show co-star Tim Maddren. ", 'Are you kidding me? 'From my point of view from where he was positioned at that particular time, he could not move across because at that time, theprosthetic leg was passed through and then passed back. The woman, I kid you not, [she was] shielding her children from me as I walked past. And it's pretty good,' he said in the clip. 'I want it noted the following: The four complainants were brave and honest witnesses. Marta Jary For Daily Mail Australia. or Won't I? A January 2018 report by Fairfax and the ABC first reported allegations McLachlan had been accused of sexually harassing several actresses. Craig McLachlan performs as Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Show in Melbourne in 2014. . Last night Channel 7 was accused of bias for having the audacity to air a controversial interview with fallen star Craig McLachlan. Oh, I really miss you, Craig. Describing McLachlan as a very sensitive person, Thompson, whose stage name is Danny Tesla, said he had been worried the reports would destroy his friend. In the industry everyone loved him including myself, he said. The defence document further alleges that at the end of three days of filming, Ms Hayes farewelled some of the cast and crew and left the studio to walk towards her car in the parking lot. To think this girl runs out of the caf and hugs us right there [She said,] "Oh, my god, it's so good to see you. Ms Wallington said it was McLachlan's 'egotistical self entitled sense of humour' that led him to believe at least one of his alleged victim's would either not mind or find his behaviour funny. As even a 100 percent acquitted, innocent man, I feel I I continue to be f**ked over, day, after day, after day, by our friend. Instead, he insisted on staying with Ms Hayes and holding the ladder, saying: "I'm going to hold the ladder.". Craig McLachlan on Seven's Spotlight program. Five months after being acquitted of multiple indecent assault charges, more actors have come forward accusing Craig McLachlan of sexual harassment. Except for me and our close team. Later in the interview, the actor also shared footage of the shipping container he spent time living in while out of work and in hiding. Mr Maddren decided to change the scene and not point his finger at the star. Fellow chef and TV host Colin Fassnidge has shared his reaction to the shocking sudden death of Jock Zonfrillo. Among the accusations levelled against the 55-year-old were: that he put his tongue in the mouth of a co-star during an unscripted kiss and, while backstage, pressed his genitals against her during a hug; that he touched another co-star's genitals during a performance; that he twice kissed a co-star backstage; and that he tickled a co-star's inner thigh while she was performing. In a 105 page decision, Melbourne Magistrate Belinda Wallington found McLachlan not guilty of all charges. "The fire that burnt so brightly was the fire of shenanigans and consensual carry on, on that show. Oh, I really miss you, Craig. In an email to the ABC at the time, he strenuously denied all the allegations, saying: "Frankly, they seem to be simple inventions, perhaps made for financial reasons, perhaps to gain notoriety. Justice Carolyn Simpson replied: Misogynys perhaps not the best word to use, but, I mean, essentially the case is about Mr McLachlans attitude to women and his treatment of them . 5:24PM May 17, 2021. 'Let's just say that I miscalculated. The former Neighbours star, 55 broke his silence in an explosive interview with 7NEWS Spotlight a week ago following his acquittal from sexual harassment charges in December. Victoria Police later charged him with seven counts of indecent assault and six counts of common law assault against four women on the set of the. Journalists and TV stations are often accused of it by people expressing their own biased views. The actor was admitted to what he called a 'mental hospital' following the attempt on his life. The interview came a day after reports that a court document reveals three more actresses have accused him of sexually harassing them on the set of The Doctor Blake Mysteries TV series as well as during The Rocky Horror Show. 'Suddenly, I'm this monstrous, rogue, individual, who goes and grabs people on the vagina. Email:sign up for ourdaily morning and afternoon email newsletters, App:download our free appand never miss the biggest stories, Social:follow us on YouTube,TikTok,Instagram,FacebookorTwitter, Podcast:listen to our daily episodes onApple Podcasts,Spotifyor search "Full Story" in your favourite app. In this post-Weinstein hashtag-me-too world-gone-mad, I can't win,' he said. My family will be better off without me.' McLachlan also was shocked the way the industry turned its back on him, Thompson said. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Susie O'Brien. Ms Steele was asked to drive Mr McLachlan to Melbourne Airport at the end of a costume fitting at Southbank. His partner, Vanessa, argues that the presumption of innocence in this countryhas gone. He is seeking damages, aggravated damages, special damages, interest and costs. Or, at least, they didn't dedicate enough airtime to his answers. "The plaintiff has been greatly injured,his business, personal and professional reputation will be brought into public disrepute, odium, ridicule and contempt," the statement says. Copyright 2023 The New Daily. I contemplated the unthinkable.'. Completely putting aside the validity of his response to these allegations, it is objectively bizarre to turn them into a performance. 'I would sit there because really at that point, all you can think about is, "Nessie is going to be better off. Really? became the second witness to testify to worrying that the actor could take his life, daily morning and afternoon email newsletters. McLachlan also recounted the shocking moment a woman shielded her children from him in a supermarket, shortly after the allegations were made public. To that, the voiceover of a young woman clarifies: "And that was the end of Craig McLachlan's perfect life.". In the Channel 7 interview, Mr McLachlan cried over what he called the absolute demolition of his life. And then I'll do what I have to do. Subscribe for free to get the latest breaking news and analysis sent to your inbox. Marta Jary For Daily Mail Australia In many parts, it felt like an infomercial for McLachlan, rather than a defence. 'I didn't touch her vagina, that's the important thing,' McLachlan told the program. Marta Jary For Daily Mail Australia, Actor Craig McLachlan breaks down alongside girlfriend Vanessa Scammel and claims their lives have been 'ruined' in tell-all interview teaser - after being found not guilty of sexually assaulting his co-stars, 'I was public enemy number one': Craig McLachlan breaks down after being acquitted of sexual harassment as his girlfriend says he was 'abandoned by everybody' in new trailer for tell-all interview, Craig McLachlan tried to kill himself after being accused of sexual harassment and admits he felt like his family would be 'better off without me', 'I didn't have to ask, I knew it wasn't true': Craig McLachlan's partner breaks her silence on the 'trauma and devastation' they faced before he was acquitted of sexual harassment, Attempting to explain the outburst,Scammell told the interviewers: ', 'We're not your enemies!' Except for me and our close team. In a statement of claim, filed to the court, Mr McLachlan alleges he was defamed by reports on the ABC in January 2018. This was not scripted or directed.". After a week of dramatic promos, Seven has now confirmed its exclusive interview with actor Craig McLaclan will air this Sunday. As the music fades out, we return to McLachlan and his partner on the couch. McLachlan is allegedly seeking damages, aggravated damages, special damages, interest and costs in his defamation case against the ABC. ", The document also alleges that Mr McLachlan returned to the stage to perform the song Wild and Untamed Thing: "During that song, Mr McLachlan stood in the middle of the stage where two rows of the cast were attempting to cross each other in a choreographed move as if to obstruct their movement. Actress Anna Samson played the role of Wendy Smith in season 3 of Dr Blake in 2014. Him stating, a post Weinstein, #MeToo world gone mad made me so ill. "Samson's character was asking McLachlan's character about her husband's recent murder. I'll write a long letter make sure Nessie and my son, my family, are looked after. Despite being acquitted, McLachlan is still facing pressure, and tearfully told Channel 7 it had resulted in the absolute demolition of his life. During the interview McLachlan, 55, spoke about the allegations of sexual harassment, which have plagued him since 2018. The number of women defending him is puzzling. Sign up here. I read the shit, its pathetic. I'll write a long letter make sure Nessie and my son, my family, are looked after. Really? The backlash to the interview erupted on social media even before it was broadcast, and continued as it aired. In this post Weinstein hashtag #MeToo world I cant win, he said. He and Scammell claimed that female accusers were jealous of his success and that he was portrayed as some dirty paedophile, recalling the heartbreaking moment when a mother ushered her children away from him in the supermarket. "At one point during the car trip, McLachlan turned the air conditioning vents away from himself and so Steele turned the air conditioning down, assuming it was too cold for McLachlan," the statement says. Image: Seven. ", For those watching Ch7 - here's the pertinent final comments to consider from the judge's ruling on the case.Consider these as you watch. Craig Dougall McLachlan (born 1 September 1965) is an Australian actor, musician, singer and composer. And you might get some sense of why I was admitted to a mental health facility. Last night, 1.1 million Australians tuned in to watch 7NEWS Spotlight: Craig McLachlan.
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