Pete Evans, Michelle Bridges, Chris Lilley: TV stars who faced controversy

Wacky Covid theories, relationship breakdowns and drug scandals, these once familiar faces on Australian TV have all but faded from the limelight.

They were once familiar faces on Australian TV screens but these celebrities have had their fair share of off-screen scandals or legal drama.

Once media darlings, they seemed to have it all but haven’t been above public scrutiny.

From espousing wacky beliefs about Covid-19 to being busted with illegal drugs, here are the TV stars who have faced controversy.

Pete Evans

Pete Evans’ $800,000 My Kitchen Rules contract was axed in May 2020 after he shared misinformation about Covid-19.

Former My Kitchen Rules star Pete Evans, or “paleo Pete”, is no stranger to controversy and has long been criticised for his views on alternative medicine.

Once a staple on Sydney’s social scene and at the helm of Hugos Group in the mid 1990s, Evans, 47, later rebranded himself as an expert on all things paleo and a wellness entrepreneur.

In 2014, nutrition watchdog The Dietitians Association of Australia warned against the paleo diet, which Evans swears by, and labelled it “potentially dangerous”.

His 2017 Netflix documentary The Magic Pill claims people suffering from illnesses like diabetes, cancer and autism can reduce symptoms and reliance on prescription drugs by adopting a specific diet for just five weeks.

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) previously described the documentary as “harmful”.

The father-of-two also once claimed sunscreen is dangerous and contains poisonous chemicals.

Despite the criticism, Evans maintained his profitability and capitalised on his fame by cashing in on lucrative book deals, TV gigs and a podcast.

However, in May 2020 it all came to a screeching halt when Channel 7 axed his $800,000 MKR contract amid low ratings.

Just a few weeks prior, he was fined $25,000 by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for promoting a “light machine” that he claimed could treat Covid-19.

After parting ways with the Seven Network, he grew more controversial - sharing anti-vaxxer views and peddling dangerous conspiracy theories about Covid-19 including suggesting the deadly pandemic is a cover up for “executions”.

He also came under fire for sharing a neo-Nazi cartoon which led to a boycott, with brands and sponsors cutting ties in droves.

Andrew O’Keefe

Former host of The Chase Australia, Andrew O'Keefe, was arrested in January and charged with assault.

Former TV host Andrew O’Keefe was once hailed for his contribution to Australian television and his philanthropic endeavours.

The former lawyer launched his career with Channel 7 in 2003 and became a familiar face hosting popular TV shows like Weekend Sunrise, Deal or No Deal and The Chase Australia.

From hosting charity fundraisers to The TV Week Logie Awards, the 49-year-old’s career spanned nearly two decades.

In 2017, O’Keefe, the son of former NSW Supreme Court judge Barry O’Keefe, was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his television and charity work.

He once served as chairman of domestic violence charity the White Ribbon Foundation so it’s no surprise that he made national headlines when he was embroiled in his own domestic assault allegations.

In January, O’Keefe was arrested and charged for assaulting his girlfriend, Sydney-based doctor Orly Lavee at an apartment in Randwick, however, charges were later dismissed on mental health grounds.

His contract with Channel 7 had expired weeks prior and was not renewed.

Magda Szubanski

Magda Szubanski mocked Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s wife, Jenny, on Twitter.

Comedian and TV host Magda Szubanski is best known for bringing the laughs on Logie award-winning TV show Kath and Kim, however, a Twitter incident involving Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s wife Jenny was no laughing matter.

A strong advocate for LGBT rights, the Weakest Link host was previously honoured for her contribution to performing arts and for campaigning to legalise same-sex marriage in Australia.

She was appointed an officer in the general division of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2019.

In April, the Channel 9 star went from hero to villain and was accused of trolling Mrs. Morrison after sharing an eyebrow-raising tweet.

Szubanski, 60, likened the Christian mother-of-two to fictional religious extremist characters from The Handmaid’s Tale and after much backlash, she denied it was intended to be “disparaging”.

Liberal MP Nicolle Flint described the tweet as “appalling”.

Szubanski’s reboot of game show The Weakest Link was delayed around the same time.

Chris Lilley

Chris Lilley, who played Jonah Takalua on Summer Heights High, had his shows pulled from Netflix for using blackface.

It was the show that put comedian Chris Lilley on the international stage but ironically, Summer Heights High would also jeopardise his career.

The show, which centres around three characters all played by Lilley, first aired in Australia in 2007 and was an instant ratings hit for the ABC.

It also earned him numerous accolades, including a Logie award and was a success abroad in the US, UK and Canada.

Last year, streaming service Netflix pulled the series, along with Lilley’s other shows Angry Boys, We Can Be Heroes, and Jonah From Tonga in the wake of racial unrest in the US which stemmed from the killing of unarmed African American man George Floyd.

Turramurra-born Lilley, 46, was accused of using blackface and brownface in his portrayal of racially-diverse characters including a rapper named S.Mouse and troubled Tongan schoolboy Jonah.

The controversy made international headlines and saw Lilley, who got his start on Channel 7’s Big Bite in 2003, retreat from public life.

George Calombaris

George Calombaris was fined for underpaying staff. Picture: ABC/7.30

Once a favourite on Channel 10’s MasterChef, George Calombaris is now potentially better known for his off-screen scandals than his culinary skills.

From underpaying his staff to an assault charge, the former TV judge is no stranger to controversy.

In 2017, the Melbourne chef was convicted of assaulting a Sydney FC fan after the A-League grand final, but the conviction was later overturned.

Calombaris’ lawyer argued that the media personality had already suffered damages, after losing $750,000 in endorsements when brands Bulla Dairy and ULR Land Rover dropped him.

Calombaris, 42, spent more than a decade building his empire, which included restaurants and cook books, however it all began to fall apart within months in 2019 after Calombaris MAdE Establishment Group admitted to underpaying $7.83 million in wages to 515 employees.

His company was ordered to pay back the wages and was also slapped with a $200,000 fine as part of a deal with the Fair Work Ombudsman.

The scandal sparked calls for Calombaris to be axed from MasterChef.

Things went from bad to worse when he was subsequently dumped from a West Australian tourism campaign.

Channel 10 eventually parted ways with Calombaris, citing failed contract negotiations.

Last year, his restaurant group, Made Establishment, went into voluntary administration.

Michelle Bridges

Michelle Bridges pleaded guilty to drink-driving. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)

She was the no-nonsense trainer on Channel 10 weight loss program The Biggest Loser and Michelle Bridges went on to built a multimillion-dollar empire.

From fitness DVDs to books, along with an activewear and kitchenware range, the Bridges brand proved to be widely respected and profitable.

The TV personality became the media’s go-to for all things fitness, with regular stints on morning shows Today and Sunrise and writing magazine columns, however, last year she made headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Bridges, 51, was arrested after being caught drink-driving with her then four-year-old son Axel in the back seat.

She blew 0.089 during a random breath test in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs on Australia Day.

Bridges pleaded guilty to mid-range drink driving and was fined $750 and banned from driving for three months.

In a statement, she expressed “deep remorse” and said the incident occurred during what had been a “very difficult time” following the breakdown of her long-term relationship with Steve “Commando” Willis.

Vince Colosimo

Vince Colosimo was charged with being behind the wheel while suspended from driving and under the influencer of ice in 2016. He escaped conviction.

Once the King of Australian small screen, Vince Colosimo got his start on TV in 1983 and went on to build an impressive portfolio.

At one point, he appeared alongside the likes of Hollywood stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Sam Neill in blockbuster films Body of Lies and Daybreakers.

Closer to home, he starred in TV shows like A Country Practice, Blue Heelers and City Homicide, and was often hailed for his convincing acting ability and on-screen presence.

However, in a case of life imitating art, the Melbourne actor, who played criminals in hit show Underbelly and the film Chopper, found himself on the wrong side of the law five years ago.

Colosimo, 54, was charged with being behind the wheel while suspended from driving and under the influence of ice in 2016.

He later pleaded guilty and was fined $3,500 and banned from driving for five months.

He escaped conviction and was placed on a good behaviour bond.