Craig McLachlan denies manipulating co-stars on 'Rocky Horror Show'

Former Neighbours star Craig McLachlan has denied accusations that he manipulated and insulted his co-stars during a 2014 production of Rocky Horror Show.

The Australian actor is currently in court after suing ABC, Fairfax and Christie Whelan Browne for defamation after claims of misconduct were made public in 2018. McLachlan denies all accusations relating to Rocky Horror Show and other productions.

Appearing in New South Wales' supreme court, McLachlan was questioned about whether he would disparage his female co-stars, which he denied.

Read more: Craig McLachlan thanks fans for support in the wake of sexual harassment allegations

McLachlan denied calling co-star Erika Haynetz 's***' and also denied calling Whelan Browne a 'c***' and 'b****'.

McLachlan was also accused of manipulating Whalen Browne by privately telling her he was supportive of the actor while there were difficulties during the production of the play.

Whelan Browne has said she was disappointed, frustrated and unsupported during that time.

McLachlan has argued that his relationship with Whelan Browne remained strong throughout the production but private emails sent from the actor to the play's director show him calling her "lucifer" and a "horror".

McLachlan, who is best known for his roles in Neighbours and The Doctor Blake Mysteries, admitted that he made a number of sexually charged remarks during the production.

He revealed that he deep throated bananas, mimicked masturbation on a crew member's arm and sending Whelan Browne videos of him pretending to masturbate and orgasm.

McLachlan's partner the conductor Vanessa Scammell defended him and said the allegations had made him become a recluse.

She called the accusations against her McLachlan 'shocking' and said they had left him 'humiliated' and 'betrayed'.

She added that 'he’s much less trusting' since the accusations became public knowledge.

Scammell also told the court that Whelan Browne had made remarks of a sexual nature to McLachlan including asking him if he could see the "slit" through her underwear.

The hearing continues.

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