Craig McLachlan admitted he has a hard time trusting women during Monday’s gripping season premiere of SAS Australia.
The 58-year-old Doctor Blake star was beside himself as he told host Ant Middleton the toll his indecent assault trial has taken on his career.
In 2019, McLachlan was charged with seven counts of indecent assault and six counts of civil assault against four women who appeared alongside him in the stage production of “The Rocky Horror Show.” In 2020 he was acquitted of all charges.
“When I started Neighbors, I was in people’s lounges night after night, day after day,” he told SAS producers.
“But about five years ago something happened that was shocking to the public and to me.
“Craig McLachlan, disgraced actor.” “Work bully, monster,” he continued.
“So I’m here to exorcise some pretty extreme pain with some pretty extreme pain.”
McLachlan went on to admit that he now suffers from “extreme social anxiety”.
“I find it very difficult to trust situations where there are a lot of people present, especially women,” he said.
Craig McLachlan admitted he has a hard time trusting women during Monday’s gripping season premiere of SAS Australia. Pictured
The 58-year-old Doctor Blake star was beside himself as he told host Ant Middleton (pictured) about the toll his indecent assault trial has taken on his career
“I’m more afraid of being in a new group of people than I am of climbing the side of a mountain.” “I know that sounds bizarre, but I’m afraid it’s true,” he added.
He further admitted that many people he once called friends have disappeared from his life.
“People who, just months before, looked me in the eyes and said you create the most wonderful work environments imaginable… abandonment, complete abandonment,” he told Middleton.
“A small handful of brave people with whom I have been friends for over 30 years have always been there, but the vast majority – gone.”
McLachlan went on to admit that he now suffers from “extreme social anxiety”. “I find it very difficult to trust situations where there are a lot of people present, especially women,” he said
“I’m more afraid of being in a new group of people than I am of climbing the side of a mountain.” “I know that sounds bizarre, but I’m afraid it’s true,” he added
McLachlan was charged with assault and indecent assault in 2014 following complaints from female co-stars in a Melbourne stage production of The Rocky Horror Show in which he played the role of Frank-N-Furter.
He was later handed a $500,000 payout in April of this year after he was acquitted of his assault charges.
He firmly rejected the allegations made against him.
Judge Belinda Wallington found him not guilty on 13 charges following a contentious four-week hearing at Victoria’s Melbourne Magistrates Court in December 2020.
SAS Australia continues the show on Tuesday at 7.30pm on Channel Seven
SAS Australia continues the show on Tuesday at 7.30pm on Channel Seven