Craig McLachlan’s comeback in tatters as he pulls out of his new show

Craig McLachlan’s career comeback is over well before it began, as he announced he’s pulling out of his upcoming stage show less than a week after his casting was confirmed.

The actor and singer, 60, pulled out of next year’s national tour of Cluedo, a play based on the popular board game, following industry backlash.

In a video statement shared to his Instagram on Tuesday, McLachlan said he was targeted in a social media campaign which ultimately ‘impacted those involved in the production’.

He revealed that the bullying targeted him and two other actors, and also affected his partner, Vanessa, and their family.

‘The bullying even extends to my partner, Vanessa, and our friends and family,’ he said.

‘Only days before the announcement, I made it very clear that I didn’t want my inclusion in the cast to impact negatively on any of the other actors. 

‘Those two actors mentioned alongside me have been and continue to be harassed and bullied by their peers … I cannot and will not let my involvement in a show result in good people being targeted by trolls and bullies. I have therefore made the decision to withdraw from the production.’

McLachlan noted he had held off revealing the news as his mother died one day prior.

‘I have had the rare privilege of caring for my dear mum over these past eight years, caring for her, being her companion,’ he said.

‘And shortly after composing my statement that I wanted to share with you yesterday, my dear mum passed.’

McLachlan was set to star in the stage production alongside Genevieve Lemon and Grant Piro, with the cast announced last week.

The show is based on the 1985 Paramount Pictures film Clue and is also inspired by the classic board game.

Cluedo would have marked McLachlan’s return to the stage after he was hounded out of the industry eight years ago amid lurid allegations of sexual harassment and bullying.

The fallen star was forced to quit his leading role as Frank-N-Furter in a 2018 Australian production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show after three of his former female co-stars accused him of serious inappropriate behaviour while performing alongside him four years earlier.

He was charged with 13 offences of assault and indecent assault after Victoria Police investigated the allegations, but he was ultimately acquitted on all counts following a four-week trial in December 2020.

McLachlan, who has always vehemently denied the allegations, said he had suffered crippling anxiety as a result of the ordeal and had been apprehensive about a return to the limelight.

He recently said he managed to overcome his anxiety with the help of ‘the best psychiatrist in Australia’ – and by playing guitar alongside country crooner Andy Penkow in an ongoing series of pub rock gigs around the country.

‘When you’ve gone through the ring of hell – you do wonder, “Gosh, can I ever get up and put myself out there again?” It’s tough,’ he said.

‘After going through that cruel public crucifixion, I didn’t know if I could still get up there in front of an audience – be it nine people or 900 – that was a very real, big fear for me.

‘But the worst thing a guitar can do is pop a string – so that was really reassuring and it’s been wonderful being able to engage with the people who come to the gigs.

‘It’s made a real difference. All my apprehension evaporated the moment I hit the first string and saw people starting to smile.’

McLachlan said his therapy – both on his psychiatrist’s couch and on stage along Penkow – and helped him finally overcome much of the rage that has consumed him since the allegations against him were first aired.

The one-time Neighbours star had been a fixture of the Australian entertainment industry for more than three decades before his career collapsed over the scandal.

McLachlan has kept a low profile in recent years, but appeared on the reality series, SAS Australia, in 2023.