Former Australian soap star Craig McLachlan has denied allegations of indecent assault, sexual harassment and bullying of colleagues that have been made against him by cast members from the Rocky Horror Show.
The accusations against McLachlan, 52, have been made by three female actresses. Christie Whelan Browne, Erika Heynatz and Angela Scundi, said they had come forward to protect other cast members. McLachlan had been reprising his role as Dr Frank N. Furter in Adelaide.
Whelan Browne, now starring in Muriel's Wedding The Musical, performed the lead role of Janet during the 2014 Rocky Horror tour. She alleged that McLachlan indecently assaulted her during the show.
Speaking to ABC she said: "I think people who know him know that he's very generous, warm, funny... I saw a very different side come out in him which was terrifying."
Heynatz, who played Magenta, said she was forcibly kissed by the actor, while Scundi, a chorus member, said she was the subject of unwanted sexual advances.
McLachlan issued a statement to ABC stating that the allegations are "baseless" and "they seem to be simple inventions, perhaps made for financial reasons, perhaps to gain notoriety".
He said: "These allegations are ALL made up,"
"Detectives from Melbourne’s Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team are investigating allegations of sexual offences dating back to 2014. As the investigation is ongoing it would be inappropriate to make any further comments."
The Rocky Horror Show’s producers, the Gordon Frost Organisation (GFO) have issued a statement saying that they had "Mutually agreed it was not appropriate for McLachlan to continue with his role as Dr Frank-N-Furter, but all performances would continue as scheduled."
McLachlan said that The Rocky Horror Show was: "A confrontational musical oozing with sexuality" and that to "make" the show "actors have to perform certain actions, all of which flow from the show itself".
"I have NEVER done anything like this." he said.
"I am, and have been at all relevant times, in a stable relationship with my long-term partner."
McLachlan became famous after playing the brother of Kylie Minogue’s character Charlene in the Australian soap Neighbours
