Seven Network's tell-all interview with actor Craig McLachlan found not guilty of seven indecent assault charges in December was the fourth-most watched program on . We all had a stick in that fire, me included. The one I worked with for two years? It's unclear whether it's evidence of the ABC 'coaching' victims, or simply a producer helping a woman paraphrase what she's been trying to say. After a week of dramatic promos, Seven has now confirmed its exclusive interview with actor Craig McLaclan will air this Sunday. 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. Ms Norfolk also alleges Mr McLachlan asked her to attend his dressing room during an interval to fix his microphone. And Seven didn't ask. 'I could name the supermarket. Attempting to explain the outburst,Scammell told the interviewers: 'He's been abandoned by everybody. This was not as scripted or directed.". In December, McLachlan was found not guilty of indecently assaulting actors during the running of a hit musical. Thompson denied he was disparaging about Whelan Browne and others when he tweeted that the victims were not asked back to do the 2017 Rocky Horror production. Mr McLachlan also said at the time he never had any romantic interest in a female cast member and never made any unwanted advances to any cast members during the show. 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. The f**k I am!' She was wearing a 1950s-style skirt. 5:24PM May 17, 2021. Actress Anna Samson played the role of Wendy Smith in season 3 of Dr Blake in 2014. 17:30 BST 23 May 2021. '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]. 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. Craig McLachlan has shared shocking footage of the moment he contemplated taking his own life. ''We could compare Craig to Harvey Weinstein.' McLachlan's character said scripted words to the effect of'she was beautiful'. On this claim, I believe her, he said. The allegations became public after one of his alleged victims went public following the worldwide scandal involving disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein. In an explosive interview with 7NEWS Spotlight, which aired on Sunday, the actor, 55, was seen. Watch McLachlan v ABC We address allegations an ABC producer 'coached' Craig McLachlan's female accusers during a TV interview. 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. A woman, whose faceis blurred, is instructed by a producer to say something along the lines of, "he (McLachlan) is a big star, he has clout.". We don't know. Other allegations include that Mr McLachlan had kissed Ms Hayes in a carpark. 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. The number of women defending him is puzzling. Meghan Markle may have been a relative unknown to the royal family before marrying Harry, but the Windsors certainly werent unknown to her. Outrage over bizarre Channel 7 interview with Craig McLachlan. 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. It doesnt matter where you live, they will take your call and, if need be, refer you to a service closer to home. OPINION | No winners in Craig McLachlan tell-all - TV Blackbox recreating this with his partner Vanessa Scammell multiple times for a Channel Seven interview on the . ", 'Are you kidding me? He is seeking damages, aggravated damages, special damages, interest and costs. Given the sensitivity of the subjectmatter. As you can imagine, we have a lot to say. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Which is odd. 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 reporting of these types of stories is something that is not taken lightly. It is outrageous. Craig McLachlan sexually harassed three more actresses, bullied actor, court documents allege, Follow our live blog for the latest from the Met Gala, Keep up with the latest ASX and business news, Health Minister Mark Butler addresses Medicare reform and vaping crackdown. Oh, I really miss you, Craig. 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'. ", 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. As McLachlan and his partner retell a story about one of the alleged victims rushing out of a cafe to hug them and say how good it was to see them - just six weeks before the allegations would come out - I notice something. Monique (@MoniqueHennessy) May 16, 2021. 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. 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? Hayes was wearing underwear and covered by a sheet. 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. 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. At that time, he had been sacked from both the musical and his TV series,The Doctor Blake Mysteries. The Herald and the ABC spent months investigating the claims and corroborating the facts. And that fire was the backstage culture of that show [The Rocky Horror Show]. All rights reserved. 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". This is exactly how r*pe culture stays alive because its broadcast. An honest recap of the Craig McLachlan interview. - Mamamia And then I'll do what I have to do. 'That broke my heart. ", 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. Viewers took to Twitter to vent a range of emotions over the interview, with many outraged that Channel 7 was trying to paint McLachlan as the victim. Thankfully, as it turns out, it didn't play out,' he said. A media law expertexplains, Unforgettable life: Shock and sadness after TV chef Jock Zonfrillo dies, Super discrimination worsens for women as the gender gap widens in key age groups, He lived fashion: Met Gala costume extravaganza inspired by designer Karl Lagerfeld retrospective, More than 800,000 may flee Sudan violence, says UN, Home values rise as housing market downturn wanes, Search for missing man continues after body found, Trump accuser defends rape claim after mistrial denied. Get exclusive deals, discounts, news and more made just for you. 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. Key points: The media's barrister depicted McLachlan as someone who took his frustrations out on his co-stars 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. Thompson was giving evidence at the New South Wales supreme court defamation lawsuit brought by McLachlan against the ABC, Fairfax and the actor Christie Whelan Browne over 2018 articles accusing McLachlan of touching, kissing and groping actors without permission in The Rocky Horror Show, Neighbours, City Homicide and The Doctor Blake Mysteries. Except for me and our close team. 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. 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. The actor is now suing the ABC, Fairfax and an actress for defamation over the 2018 reports. 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. Image: Seven. "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. Thompson told the jury that up until about 2017 McLachlan had a very good reputation and was incredibly successful. Backlash at Craig McLachlan's Channel 7 interview - heraldsun Lorna Knowles from ABC Investigations reports.ABC News provides around the clock coverage of news events as they break in Australia and abroad, including the latest coronavirus pandemic updates. As the contested hearing at theMelbourneMagistrates' Court drew to an end, it was heard McLachlan's defence had submitted 160 pages denying the allegations. Anna Samson is an actress on Channel 7's hit soapHome and Away. In six weeks' time [to know what] she had planned.'. 'Irresponsible': Rape survivors' advocates Louise Nicholas and HELP 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. What did Craig McLachlan do? The allegations, explained. - Mamamia But like most of this show, thepointis buried in the distraction of performance. For confidential support call the Lifeline 24-hour crisis support on: 13 11 14, By Wouters did this to appease McLachlan so that he would stop asking her and leave.". To that, the voiceover of a young woman clarifies: "And that was the end of Craig McLachlan's perfect life.". McLachlan and Vanessa Scammel, his partner of 10 years, finally tell their story. One journalist shared her outrage over the comment McLachlan made that it could happen to anyone. Outside his lawyers office after his acquittal, McLachlan said he put his trust in the law. So there's a double meaning. 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. Or, at least, they didn't dedicate enough airtime to his answers. While Magistrate Wallington said she accepted some of the complainants' evidence, she said it did not meet the high criminal standards required to prove the charges. Of a male actor who was to give corroborating evidence, Jarratt texted: Give me fucking strength, and that Hi5 twat, next time I see him Ill break his finger. We're shown behind-the-scenes footage of the ABC interviews - that aired on the 7.30 Report in 2018 - stopping and starting. In this post-Weinstein hashtag-me-too world-gone-mad, I can't win,' he said. Craig McLachlan denies throwing tantrums, calling co-stars - ABC REVIEW: He hid in a shipping crate for months with just. 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. [Like I'm] some kind of dirty paedophile? 'I didn't touch her vagina, that's the important thing,' McLachlan told the program. And look, that's a bizarre exaggeration, but okay. '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'. 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. [Like I'm] some kind of dirty paedophile? Mr McLachlan has always maintained his innocence. McLachlan pulled away a few seconds later when a crew member standing in the doorway yelled words to the effect of 'Craig, we need you back on set'.". The defamation trial had been postponed until the criminal proceedings in Melbourne finished and is now expected to proceed. That should get me on the ABC., In relation to the texts, McLachlans barrister said the defamation case was not about misogyny. 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. Who edited this. Post continues below. 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. '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'. The log was fashioned into a low, rustic bench located alongside a waterway with a notoriously strong current. It feels like an advertisement for him as an actor. All rights reserved. McLachlan was cleared of seven counts of indecent assault and six counts of common law assault in December . 'Suddenly, I'm this monstrous, rogue, individual, who goes and grabs people on the vagina. He stuck in the corner, crouching down. 15:28 BST 23 May 2021 Ms Hayes played the role of Virginia McKay in season two of Dr Blakein 2014 and was on set for three days of filming. 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. When news broke that he would be criminally charged for the allegations, he checked into a mental hospital. "Samson was so surprised by the incident that she forgot her lines. Look what they're done. You can also text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis text line counselor. "What a f*cking joke," he says. In a statement of claim, filed to the court, Mr McLachlan alleges he was defamed by reports on the ABC in January 2018. '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.'. The document released this week by the Supreme Court isthe ABC's defence to Mr McLachlan's defamation claim. The Gold Logie-winning actor sat side by side with his partner, Vanessa Scammell, who has been his staunch supporter throughout the allegations. Craig McLachlan thanks supporters after his Channel Seven interview 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. @susieob. Craig McLachlan: Actor found not guilty in indecent assault case She said she never had a shadow of a doubt about her partners innocence. 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. 'Before the haters say you were acquitted because you are guilty, the f**k I am. 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. McLachlan says he hasn't worked since, and tells a story about how the day after 7.30 aired, a woman shielded her children from him in a shop. 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. In early 2018 we finally published a series of articles that revealed McLachlans arrogant belief that he could abuse women and get away with it without scrutiny or accountability. McLachlans character said scripted words to the effect of she was beautiful. The actor, 55, was seen in self-filmed video clips, sitting on what he called the 'Will I? In December, a Melbourne magistrate found Mr McLachlan not guilty of seven indecent assault charges and six common assault charges relating to his alleged conduct towards four women while playing the starring role of Frank-n-Furter in The Rocky Horror Show. Were working to restore it. 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. 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. The defence document alleges: "On several occasions during the Janet bed scene while Wouters played the role of Janet and McLachlan played the role of Frank-n-Furter, McLachlan continued to kiss Wouters down the front of her stomach after he had disappeared under the covers was out of sight of the audience (when he was supposed to be hiding behind the bed covers but otherwise not kissing Janet). Craig McLachlan sexually harassed three more actresses, bullied - ABC If you think you may be experiencing depression or another mental health problem, please contact your general practitioner. Despite his acquittal, the heat remains on Mr McLachlan. Or having to watch your allegation role-played by your accuser and his partner. Video via Channel Seven During the interview McLachlan, 55, spoke about the allegations of sexual harassment, which have plagued him since 2018. And waves. If the promos for Seven's exclusive interview with actor Craig McLachlan are anything to go by, this is going to be car crash television. 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. Actor Craig McLachlan has opened up about his fall from grace for the first time. Craig McLachlan in a promo for his exclusive interview with Channel 7 Bias is a funny thing. Mr McLachlan was not part of the scene and was asked to attend hair and makeup. And you might get some sense of why I was admitted to a mental health facility. By Since then, the 55-year-old has appeared on Home and Away, McLeod's Daughters and The Wrong Girl. Could granny flats be the answer to Australia's housing crisis. 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 scene requires another stagehand to pass a prosthetic limb to the actors through a curtain in one of the production's funniest gags. Ill be going back to my streaming services for entertainment. Craig McLachlan has shared shocking footage of the moment he contemplated taking his own life. McLachlan had maintained his alleged sexual offending while working on the production was no more inappropriate than a cricketer giving a teammate a pat on the bum. and The whole world is sick of this pathetic bullshit. "We have no idea what is to come of that, or where he stands. Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out. And in the upcoming Channel Seven special, which is set to . Craig McLachlan has shared an emotional statement with fans after his explosive interview with Channel Seven aired on Sunday night. 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. ", 'In this post-Weinstein hashtag-me-too world-gone-mad, I can't win.'. Australian actor Craig McLachlan, seen here with partner Vanessa Scammell arriving to give video evidence from his barrister's office in November 2020, has given an emotional interview to Channel 7. When was the last time I woke up in the morning and smiled?'. I was public enemy number one. All times AEST (GMT +10). First look at the bizarre Channel 7 interview with Craig McLachlan McLachlan took aim at the #MeToo campaign, saying the climate it had created forced people to support women. It's a tense, emotional moment. Really? Mark Lawrence was one of two crew members there for every performance during the production. 'I didn't touch her vagina in that scene or in any scene.'. Marta Jary For Daily Mail Australia. Hayes felt uncomfortable and a number of further takes were required to complete the scene as a result of McLachlan's conduct. A January 2018 report by Fairfax and the ABC first reported allegations McLachlan had been accused of sexually harassing several actresses.