Neighbours finale: Craig McLachlan's bizarre video as Henry Ramsay

2022-07-28

Craig McLachlan lashes out at Neighbours bosses as he reprises his role as Henry Ramsay in bizarre video – after being snubbed from the finale despite being cleared of indecent assault charges two years ago

Craig McLachlan has recorded his own tribute to Neighbours in character as ’80s heart-throb Henry Ramsay after being snubbed from Thursday’s series finale.

The 56-year-old actor, who was cleared of indecent assault charges two years ago, posted a farewell video on Facebook hours before the last episode aired.

In the clip, McLachlan addressed fans while sitting in front of a grand piano before cutting to footage of himself in Henry’s signature overalls sporting a mullet wig.

Craig McLachlan has recorded his own tribute to Neighbours in character as ’80s heart-throb Henry Ramsay after being snubbed from Thursday’s series finale

‘Hey, everyone. I’m calling it, I’m declaring national bib and brace overalls day in honour of Henry Ramsay and, of course, to celebrate the Aussie super soap Neighbours,’ he began.

‘Do you know, I got the call to join the show way back in 1986. An exciting call that changed my life. A call that I’ll be forever grateful for. Good memories, good people.’

He then pretended to receive a message via an earpiece, and said: ‘Listen, I know time’s tight. We’ve got a special guest via video link. Let me just see if they’re there.’

McLachlan, who was cleared of indecent assault charges two years ago, addressed fans while sitting in front of a piano before cutting to footage of himself in Henry’s signature overalls

The video then cut to McLachlan in a backyard in character as Henry, offering a brief message in between tending to his garden with pruning shears.

‘Hi, Craig! Hey, listen, thanks for letting me be a part of your special Neighbours celebration. I really appreciate it,’ he said.

McLachlan emphasised the word ‘your’ in a not-so-subtle swipe at Neighbours bosses to highlight how he wasn’t included in the official finale.

McLachlan, who played one of Neighbours’ most popular characters in the late ’80s, believes ‘ cancel culture ‘ is the reason why he wasn’t invited to appear the finale

He continued: ‘Hey, I used to cop a lot of flack about this hair, but the mullet’s back! And the mullet’s here to stay, and so is Henry Ramsay.’

‘Thanks again. I’ve got to finish this. Love you guys,’ he finished, snapping the shears.

McLachlan, who played one of Neighbours’ most popular characters in the late ’80s, believes ‘cancel culture’ is the reason why he wasn’t invited to appear the finale.

He was cleared of indecent assault charges in 2020, yet believes he was snubbed by producers due to his unfairly tarnished reputation.

Meanwhile, McLachlan’s on-screen sister Charlene (Kylie Minogue) and stepfather Harold Bishop (Ian Smith) returned for the finale, as did his character’s mother Madge (Anne Charleston), who died on the show but appeared as a ghost.

‘Henry’s dead mother is being reincarnated for the final episode – but cancel culture won’t allow her son Henry to appear or even be acknowledged,’ a spokesperson for McLachlan told The Sun on Wednesday.

‘What Craig and his partner [Vanessa Scammell] have endured over the past four-and-a-half years – only to come out the other side and be confronted by, among other things, the attempted permanent erasing of his part in Neighbours history – is devastating,’ they continued.

McLachlan (pictured on the show in the late ’80s) believes he was snubbed by producers due to his unfairly tarnished reputation, despite having been convicted of no crime

McLachlan (second left) was shunned from the finale, but his on-screen sister Charlene (Kylie Minogue, left) and stepfather Harold Bishop (Ian Smith, right) returned, as did his character’s mother Madge (Anne Charleston, centre), who died on the show but will appeared as a ghost

‘Craig was not invited to take part in the closing episode or indeed to contribute in any way to the end of Neighbours.’

McLachlan portrayed Henry between 1987 to 1989 and won three Logie Awards for the role, including the gong for Most Popular Actor.

The Neighbours finale would have been McLachlan’s his first acting gig since he was found not guilty of indecently assaulting actors during the running of The Rocky Horror Show musical in 2014.

McLachlan had maintained his alleged offending while working on the production was no more inappropriate than a cricketer giving a teammate a pat on the bum.

In a 105-page decision, Melbourne Magistrate Belinda Wallington found McLachlan not guilty of all charges.

Ms Wallington said it was McLachlan’s ‘egotistical self entitled sense of humour’ that led him to believe others would either not mind or find his behaviour funny.

‘I want it noted the following: The four complainants were brave and honest witnesses. I was not persuaded that there was evidence of collusion between the complainants,’ Ms Wallington said.

‘Craig was not invited to take part in the closing episode or indeed to contribute in any way to the end of Neighbours,’ the rep said. (McLachlan is pictured as Henry Ramsay on Neighbours)

‘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.’

During the case, McLachlan endured months of scrutiny which saw him and his partner Vanessa Scammell forced to make their way through media packs outside of a Melbourne court.

McLachlan subsequently sued the ABC, Sydney Morning Herald and actor Christie Whelan Browne for defamation in relation to publishing claims he’d touched, kissed and groped actresses without permission in the Rocky Horror stage production, Neighbours, City Homicide, and The Doctor Blake Mysteries.

In December 2020, McLachlan was found not guilty of indecently assaulting actors during the running of The Rocky Horror Show musical in 2014 (pictured on stage as Frank N Furter)

McLachlan had maintained his alleged offending while working on the production was no more inappropriate than a cricketer giving a teammate a pat on the bum

He dropped the defamation suit in May this year on the day the first of 11 women were due to give evidence, citing the toll it had taken on his mental health and family as the reason.

It is understood McLachlan has racked up legal bills of more than $3million.

The series finale of Neighbours, which first aired in 1985 and has been on screens for 37 years, saw a host of former stars, including Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Guy Pearce, return to Ramsay Street one last time.

The finale centered around Toadie’s (Ryan Moloney) wedding to Melanie (Lucinda Cowden) as many familiar faces reunited for the picturesque lakeside ceremony and street party afterwards, while other pals – including Margot Robbie’s Donna Freedman – sent their well-wishes in video messages to mark the big day.

The series finale of Neighbours, which first aired in 1985 and has been on screens for 37 years, saw a host of former stars, including Kylie Minogue (left), Jason Donovan (right) and Guy Pearce, return to Ramsay Street one last time

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