A January 2018 report by Fairfax and the ABC first reported allegations McLachlan had been accused of sexually harassing several actresses. Really? 2 min read. McLachlan said he felt like his family and girlfriend, conductor Vanessa Scammell, who also appeared in the7NEWS Spotlight special, would be 'better off without me'. It feels like an advertisement for him as an actor. Three more women made claims that revolve around the same themes - uninvited touching, kissing, sexual innuendos. 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 Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org, Craig McLachlan denies he manipulated and insulted fellow actors during Rocky Horror Show, court hears, Sign up to receive the top stories from Guardian Australia every morning, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. And then I'll do what I have to do. 'I was not persuaded that there was evidence of motive, or that the complaints were made for reason of career ambition or any other such reason.'. Craig McLachlan in a promo for his exclusive interview with Channel 7 Bias is a funny thing. This doesn't seem relevant. And thunder. Video via Channel Seven Craig McLachlan, second from left, has acted in Australian shows including Neighbours. 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 When they arrived at the airport and Ms Steele pulled in to drop him off, he leaned over and kissed her on both cheeks, the statement said. Stay safe, be kind to each other, we will see you in the New Year., 7News Spotlight: Horror Show airs on Channel 7 at 7pm Sunday. McLachlan ranted, in tears, before his partnerScammell attempted to soothe him, and asked the interview to be cut. '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]. The document containing the allegations was released this week by the Supreme Court, and is part of the ABCs defence to Mr McLachlans defamation claim. And look, that's a bizarre exaggeration, but okay. The broadcaster reportedly paid McLachlan more than $200,000 to air the diary later this month, along with an exclusive interview. By "Craig is in a world of trying to put his life together. Rather than just a sit-down interview, McLachlan appears to have recorded his journey throughout the trial where he was accused of assault and indecent assault charges dating back to 2014. Or turn it off and don't watch.#CraigMcLachlan https://t.co/pKWvfl5Ang pic.twitter.com/Edfdlf5AFp. McLachlans case finished on Thursday and the defendants will begin calling their witnesses on Friday. 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. McLachlan said the ordeal made him contemplate suicide, revealing that he contemplated the unthinkable my family would be better off without me. Look what they're done. "Well, there was a fire," he says. Just to clarify, that's objectively not the suggestion. For more from Clare Stephens, you can follow her on Instagram. Not only did we continue to work together, we continued to work together and have, and I'm speaking for me 'You know, we had a great time together in 2016. 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. A voiceover of a young woman tells us, "back before the allegations that changed everything, life for Craig McLachlan and his longtime partner, Vanessa Scammell, was perfect.". ''We could compare Craig to Harvey Weinstein.' McLachlan stormed away, screaming from off camera: 'F**k people. McLachlan: Did you see my nipples getting hard? Ill be going back to my streaming services for entertainment. Subscribe: http://ab.co/1svxLVE Read more here: https://ab.co/3huku3eAn explosive court document obtained by the ABC reveals a string of fresh allegations against Mr McLachlan, including that he groped and kissed actresses and bullied a male actor. "Steele was very young and nervous. He went back to his car and burst into tears. You're referring to that girl?' McLachlan later stormed of of the interview in tears, after claiming he had remained friends with one of his accusers for years after the alleged assault. My family will be better off without me." On Monday morning, radio host Ben Fordham publicly supported one of the alleged victims. Backlash against actor Craig McLachlan and Channel 7 erupted on Twitter hours before a scheduled tell-all interview on Sunday night, which continued during its screening. To that, the voiceover of a young woman clarifies: "And that was the end of Craig McLachlan's perfect life.". For the first time since being acquitted of sexual harassment allegations in December, the 55-year-old will tell his side of the story that has dominated headlines for the past three years and saw him stood down from the Rocky Horror Show production and The Doctor Blake Mysteries. She said she never had a shadow of a doubt about her partners innocence. In delivering the judgment in December 2020, Victorian Magistrate Belinda Wallington made a number of unusual statements. According to the ABC, just 24 hours prior to the release of the Channel 7 interview, McLachlan was hit with fresh allegations of sexual harassment and bullying on the set of The Doctor Blake Mysteries TV series, as well as during The Rocky Horror Show. Repeatedly. Mr McLachlan first appeared on Australian television screens 34 years ago in 1987 as Henry Ramsay on Neighbours. His partner, Vanessa Scammell, was by his side for weekend media interviews as she made it clear she believes him. I saw Craig standing there with a banana.. I am sitting here today, 100 per cent acquitted, Im an innocent man, McLachlan says on Channel 7s Spotlight: Horror Show, which will air at 7pm on Sunday. The new allegations by Ms Hayes are 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 two of the Dr Blake Mysteries in 2014. The allegations became public after one of his alleged victims went public following the worldwide scandal involving disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein. Vanessa explains thatshe saw the cast every day and never even witnessed a "mild flirtation". I was not persuaded that there was evidence of collusion between the complainants,' Ms Wallington said. 'Suddenly, I'm this monstrous, rogue, individual, who goes and grabs people on the vagina. Just because the court designed by men doesn't always reach this finding, the court of women knows the truth and acts accordingly. In the court document, she alleges Mr McLachlan placed his hand on her buttock during a close-up scene and says she was so surprised that she forgot her lines. 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. Mr McLachlan, 55, had consistently denied seven charges. She described the four complainants as brave and honest witnesses who had not colluded and were not motivated by career ambition. 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 . In case viewers don't understand the intended mood of the programme, Seven helps us. Shame on you Channel 7 shame. May 17, 2021 - 3:24PM. Magistrate Wallington noted that, while consent laws had changed since, she was required to apply the law as it stood at the time of the alleged offences. McLachlan also recounted the shocking moment a woman shielded her children from him in a supermarket, shortly after the allegations were made public. "Wouters initially tried to brush it off by jovially saying 'don't be silly'. The actor was admitted to what he called a 'mental hospital' following the attempt on his life. Australian actor Craig McLachlan can be seen breaking down in the trailer for his upcoming emotionally-charged interview. The helplessness of being accused and feeling as though you have no recourse to clear your name. 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. The severe psychological impact of trial by media, forcing you to live in a shipping container. Australian Associated Press Thu 19 May 2022 02.12 EDT Craig McLachlan was loved by everyone in the entertainment industry until he was shunned after media reports accused the actor of indecent. But then the interviewer brings up the analogy of there being "no smoke without fire" and McLachlan takes that metaphor to its logical conclusion. 'This girl actively maintained and pursued a friendship. Could granny flats be the answer to Australia's housing crisis. Mr McLachlan was not part of the scene and was asked to attend hair and makeup. 16:52 BST 16 May 2021 Youre going to defam the C---s so theyre going to chuck everything at you. Craig McLachlan (pictured) has shared shocking footage of the moment he contemplated taking his own life. Monique (@MoniqueHennessy) May 16, 2021. When was the last time I woke up in the morning and smiled?'. Which is odd. Really? Performer Daniel Thompson tells defamation trial the media reports shattered McLachlan and he worried the actor would take his own life. He has a court hearing at the end of next year, October 2019," she says. Watch, Stream & Catch Up with your favourite 7NEWS Spotlight: Craig McLachlan episodes on 7plus. And you might get some sense of why I was admitted to a mental health facility. McLachlan then said words to the effect of you are really beautiful in a whispered tone and leaning into Hayes ear so that only she could hear him. The result was an entirely bizarre and unhelpful 90-minutes of television. (I thought) How am I gonna survive this?, RELATED: Lewd footage of Craig McLachlan airs in court. Image: Seven. (@lisa_aussiechic) May 16, 2021, While another viewer claimed the interview only highlighted McLachlans Narcissistic Personality Disorder.. 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. Actor Craig McLachlan has denied to his defamation trial that he frequently threw backstage tantrums during a production of The Rocky Horror Show and, on one occasion, called his co-stars "ungrateful and untalented c***s". Your mate always, JJ., Jarratt also referred to one of the witnesses against his friend as Tampon. But like most of this show, thepointis buried in the distraction of performance. 'Before the haters say you were acquitted because you are guilty, the f**k I am. First, she praised the accusers as "brave and honest witnesses". The defamation case was stayed pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings, and the witnesses have yet to give evidence about the allegations in the ABC's defence. 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. Magistrate 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. During the interview McLachlan, 55, spoke about the allegations of sexual harassment, which have plagued him since 2018. and In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is at 800-273-8255 or chat for support. So there's a double meaning. Craig McLachlan sat down with Channel 7 for a tell-all interview after being acquitted of sexual harassment allegations. 17:30 BST 23 May 2021. 'That broke my heart. Look what they're done. Police had alleged McLachlan either indecently assaulted or assaulted four complainants while performing in Melbourne between April 26, 2014 and July 13, 2014. Treasure them. Last night, 1.1 million Australians tuned in to watch 7NEWS Spotlight: Craig McLachlan. Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out. The log was fashioned into a low, rustic bench located alongside a waterway with a notoriously strong current. Fordham said during his radio on Monday I know Tamzen HayesI believe her. "I never behaved in a fashion that was disproportionate to what was going on around me.". Starts at 60 is just for over-60s. 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 also was shocked the way the industry turned its back on him, Thompson said. He has been involved in film, television, the music industry and music theatre for over 30 years. The document, released to the ABC this week by the NSW Supreme Court, details fresh claims by actresses Tamzen Hayes and Anna Samson, who played opposite Mr McLachlan in The Doctor Blake Mysteries, and Teagan Wouters, who played Janet in The Rocky Horror Show. The 55-year-old actor had recounted the aftermath of sexual. In a statement of claim, filed to the court, Mr McLachlan alleges he was defamed by reports on the ABC in January 2018. 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. His long-term partner, Vanessa Scammell, also makes a brief appearance in the trailer where she says McLachlan has been abandoned by everybody. Despite his acquittal, the heat remains on Mr McLachlan. I'm an innocent man," the former Gold Logie winning soapie heart-throb told Spotlight viewers just over a year ago, months after being acquitted of criminal charges of indecent assault and assault in December 2020. appearing to coach the accusers by offering specific words and phrases for them to say in their interview, such as "predatory" and . He says he remembers thinking he'd never hear people cheering for him again. The Herald and the ABC spent months investigating the claims and corroborating the facts. An even better time in 2017,' he rambled on, breaking down in angry tears. 15:28 BST 23 May 2021 Or having to watch your allegation role-played by your accuser and his partner. Christie Whelan Browne spoke out so others would not have to suffer.Credit: Nick Moir. This could be evidence that there was a clear agenda in exposing the McLachlan allegations, but it could also have been a pragmatic line of conversation with the victims that by coming out, they were protecting other women from the actor's alleged behaviour. 'When we parted the curtain, you could actually see him in that position.'. After many requests from McLachlan, Wouters walked over to McLachlan and gave him a peck on the lips. WATCH BELOW: '7News Spotlight: Craig McLachlan' trailer Shakira Tears up During Last Concert in Colombia 1:02 A highly emotional Craig McLachlan is sitting down for his first interview since being acquitted of sexual harassment allegations. McLachlan later stormed of of the interview in tears, after claiming he had remained friends with one of his accusers for years after the alleged assault. Key points: The media's barrister depicted McLachlan as someone who took his frustrations out on his co-stars Get The New Daily free every morning and evening. In my circle you have never heard a bad word about Craig, she said. Tonights whinging bitch will be quickly forgotten once your powerful doco hits. Police had alleged McLachlan either indecently assaulted or assaulted four complainants in Melbourne between April 26, 2014 and July 13, 2014. 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. McLachlan went on to admit that he did eventually attempt suicide, but by chance, he was unsuccessful. "Samson's character was asking McLachlan's character about her husband's recent murder. F--- em. During the interview McLachlan, 55, spoke about the allegations of sexual harassment, which have plagued him since 2018. To curate to the needs and wants of over-60s online and get members a better deal wherever possible through the power of our huge online community. Craig McLachlan and his long-time partner, Vanessa Scammell Credit: Don Arnold / WireImage Watch Spotlight on Channel 7 and stream it for free on 7plus >> Overnight, that all changed - and the fallen star was self-exiled to a shipping container and eventually admitted to a mental health facility after a failed suicide attempt. We all had a stick in that fire, me included. Craig McLachlan Episode 12 Shrub O'Clock: Hedging your head 260 views Craig McLachlan Episode 11 Shrub O'Clock: Tour de Shrub 174 views Craig McLachlan Episode 10 Shrub O'Clock: Beefy 2K. TVNZ said the focus of the documentary was McLachlan's "trial by media and the impact this had on his. On this claim, I believe her, he said. Mr McLachlan is suing the ABC, Fairfax (now part of Nine)and an actress for defamation over reports in 2018 that he indecently assaulted, harassed and bullied his fellow cast members during the 2014 tour of The Rocky Horror Show. Craig McLachlan has shared shocking footage of the moment he contemplated taking his own life. The scene was shot again and McLachlan again placed his hand on one of her buttocks while she filmed the close-up portion of the scene.". 'I want it noted the following: The four complainants were brave and honest witnesses. The one I worked with for two years? I burst into tears and I rang Nessa and said "How am I going to survive this? It's as though Craig McLachlan is trying to be Jean Valjean from Les Miserables,except the plot is about being accused of indecent assault and how hard that was for him. For Vanessa, the experience of having your partner accused of this behaviour on the same day your mother is diagnosed with an aggressive and incurable form of cancer. His partner, Vanessa, argues that the presumption of innocence in this countryhas gone. Kylie Stevens I was public enemy number one. Referring to the thigh-touching incident, she said, "I'm unable to exclude the possibility that an egotistical, self-entitled sense of humour led the accused to genuinely think that [the co-star] was consenting to his actions.". He explains that "this girl actively maintained and pursued a friendship," after he worked with her on Grease, and then the Rocky Horror Show. 'I didn't touch her vagina in that scene or in any scene.'. 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. I'll write a long letter make sure Nessie and my son, my family, are looked after. '"We could compare Craig to Harvey Weinstein." He says he remembers thinking he'd never hear people cheering for him again. McLachlan stormed away, screaming from off camera: 'F**k people. He was cast as Henry Ramsay, brother of Kylie Minogue's character Charlene, in Channel 10's Neighbours. At that time, he had been sacked from both the musical and his TV series,The Doctor Blake Mysteries. In December, McLachlan was found not guilty of seven indecent assault. "What a f*cking joke," he says. '[The girl who] texted us continually? 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. Hayes was wearing underwear and covered by a sheet. Thompson told the jury that up until about 2017 McLachlan had a very good reputation and was incredibly successful. Having to hear the suggestion that maintaining a friendship with someone necessarilymeans they didn't touch you inappropriately. 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. Please try again later. @susieob. Craig McLachlan performs as Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Show in Melbourne in 2014. . The one I worked with for two years? Copyright 2023 The New Daily. This is exactly how r*pe culture stays alive because its broadcast. 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.". In this post Weinstein hashtag #MeToo world I cant win, he said. Because they can be taken away and you'll die trying to get it back.". A tell-all 7NEWS Spotlight interview with Craig McLachlan Sunday night has sparked an eruption of emotions by viewers. Even once the kiss has taken place, McLachlan continues the scene and why are we being shown all this. Actress Tamzen Hayes was among the women named in the list of allegations against Mr McLachlan. Mr McLachlan, who was in the middle of shooting a scene, ran outside to follow her. Nationwide News Pty Ltd 2023. Kylie Stevens 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. This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced. You're referring to that girl?' I made some miscalculations in weight and how I attempted to deal with things. On Thursday, after his side finished giving their evidence, it was revealed that McLachlan had failed to hand over 4000 emails, texts and photos which had been extracted from his iPhone 3 by a forensic firm in November 2018. 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. She was asked about seeing him with bananas on the set. 'I could name the supermarket. I can't win. The 90 minute program aired on May 16 divided viewers across the country. The Gold Logie-winning actor sat side by side with his partner, Vanessa Scammell, who has been his staunch supporter throughout the allegations. But after the publications, he became very worried McLachlan would take his own life. 13:43 BST 17 May 2021. But he has denied the allegations in the publications, and has accused Whelan Browne and two other women of approaching the media for notoriety or money. Image: Seven. Anyone who understands Narcissistic Personality Disorder will see right through this performance. One of the many performance scenes in Seven's special. ", 'Are you kidding me? The jury did not get to hear these exchanges, including this one from Jarratt to McLachlan. He allegedly called her a gorgeous woman and said: "I love 22-year-olds.". Even a heater. She performed the role during the last seven weeks of the tour. And that fire was the backstage culture of that show [The Rocky Horror Show]. In the era of #MeToo what the hell are @Channel7 doing giving air time to #CraigMcLachlan? I contemplated the unthinkable.'. In an explosive interview with 7NEWS Spotlight, which aired on Sunday, the actor, 55, was seen. Can we turn it up any higher? The scene requires another stagehand to pass a prosthetic limb to the actors through a curtain in one of the production's funniest gags. Were working to restore it. Under the heading'Sexual harassment of Wouters', the document alleges that during the Melbourne leg of the tour, Mr McLachlan entered her dressing room and sat on the edge of a couch while Wouters sat at a dressing table. McLachlan also recounted the shocking moment a woman shielded her children from him in a supermarket, shortly after the allegations were made public. McLachlan said he felt like his family and girlfriend, conductor Vanessa Scammell, who also appeared in the 7NEWS Spotlight special, would be 'better off without me'.
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