He says he was “crucified” in public view. Now Craig McLachlan answers the question of whether he will forgive his accusers

EXCLUSIVE

Craig McLachlan is making a stunning return to acting in a role he describes as the “ultimate vindication” more than half a decade after being “cancelled” amid a brutal public humiliation.

Daily Mail Australia can reveal the veteran actor is set to sign on to star in a feature film after receiving an unexpected approach from the film’s producers.

The former Neighbours star said the resurrection of his acting career had helped him deal with the “poisonous hatred” that had eaten away at him since he was ousted from the industry six years ago.

But the 58-year-old actor admitted he is unlikely to ever find it in his heart to forgive the former co-stars who accused him of sexual harassment and assault and that he still blames them for “ruining” his life.

“The problem is that hate is poisonous. You have to get rid of hate, and that’s what I’ve done,” he said.

“Forgiveness is a different story. It’s a very difficult thing to do.”

McLachlan said he had “fallen out of love” with showbiz after his “public crucifixion” but decided to take the role after discussing the opportunity with his long-term partner Vanessa Scammell.

“I met with the producers and director last week and agreed to do it,” he told Daily Mail Australia.

‘I didn’t expect to be approached about acting again… and certainly not to sign on to do a movie; it was a complete surprise.

“But it’s a fantastic Australian production and Vanessa and I sat down to discuss it and talk about whether it was the right thing for both of us.

‘When your life has been destroyed like it has mine, you need to take some time to rest and recalibrate.

“I didn’t rush into anything. I had to think about what we wanted to do and what I could do physically. And we decided that this was the right thing for us.”

While McLachlan said it was too early to reveal full details of his role in the film, it is understood the movie will enter pre-production in the coming months before filming in Australia next year.

The role will mark McLachlan’s first acting job since he was ousted from showbiz six years ago amid lurid allegations of sexual harassment and bullying.

The fallen star was forced to quit his lead 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 behavior while acting alongside him four years earlier.

He was charged with 13 offences of assault and indecent assault after Victoria Police investigated the allegations, but was eventually cleared of all charges 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 was worried about returning to the spotlight.

But he said he had managed to overcome his anxiety with the help of “Australia’s top psychiatrist” and by playing guitar alongside country singer Andy Penkow at a series of pub rock concerts across the country.

“When you’ve been through the circle of hell, you wonder, ‘Oh my God, can I 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 go up there in front of an audience, whether it was nine people or 900; that was a very real and 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 to be able to interact with the people who come to the shows.

“It’s made a huge difference. All my apprehension evaporated the moment I hit the first string and saw people start to smile.”

McLachlan said he has even begun to “reclaim” his association with The Rocky Horror Picture Show by performing a medley of the musical’s greatest hits during his pub gigs.

“There’s nothing anyone can do that will destroy my relationship with that show,” he said.

“The public loved it and that’s the most important thing for me: the people. It’s changed everything.”

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

“There are so many things that happen in life that you can’t be prepared for… one thing I’ve learned through all of this is that I’ve been surrounded by wonderful people,” he said.

‘When shit starts in the media, people start running for cover and are afraid to stand up and support you publicly because they’re worried they’ll get their hair cut off.

‘But you just need to get out of bed and then make your bed because, at the end of what will probably be a very difficult day, where you will feel like giving up, you will need it.

‘I will be eternally grateful to those people who were by my side, people like Vanessa, who helped me move forward.

‘Regardless of what anyone has said or alleged about me, nothing I do or say would be done with the intention of making anyone else uncomfortable. I know that’s not who I am.

—But what about forgiveness? Ask me again about forgiveness a little later.