As Craig McLachlan’s court case for defamation unfolds, the Australian actor has admitted to sending videos of himself “pretending to masturbate” to a female co-star.
Content Warning: This article discusses sexual harassment. If you or someone you know are affected by the following story, you are not alone. To speak to someone, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
McLachlan is suing former co-star Christie Whelan Browne, the ABC and Fairfax Media over claims that Browne defamed him by publishing stories “falsely portraying” him as having harassed and bullied female performers in hit musical The Rocky Horror Show.
The actor took to the stand today and was accused of sending videos to Ms Whelan Browne where he “purported to be masturbating”.
“You would send her videos in which you purported to be masturbating in the toilet?” defence barrister Michael Hodge QC asked McLachlan.
The court heard that the actor admitted to sending videos of himself pretending to masturbate fully clothed but “not in a toilet”.
McLachlan was also questioned about an alleged aggressive incident with a producer. “You referred to the producer as a cunt and were so furious you wanted her to be kept away from you,” Mr Hodge said. McLachlan denied the allegations.
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McLachlan and Browne worked together on Channel 10 series The Wrong Girl from 2016 to 2017.
In 2018, Victorian police charged McLachlan 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. However, McLachlan was later acquitted on all charges after a hearing in December 2020. Following his acquittal, McLaughlan sued the press for defamation, a case that is on the fifth day of trial.
At the height of his career, McLachlan won a Gold Logie in 1990 for his role in Neighbours and the same year he recorded a debut album with his band, ‘Check 1–2’ which went on to gain a No. 2 in the UK and No. 3 in Australia.
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