Craig McLachlan defamation trial told how Christie Whelan Browne showed cast photos of her ‘poo’

Actress Christie Whelan Browne went “through a phase” of showing cast members a “photo of her poo”, a court has been told.

A cast member on the 2014 run of The Rocky Horror Show has told a court that the woman Craig McLachlan is now suing for defamation used to show “photos of her poo” to people on set.

Mr McLachlan is suing his former co-star Christie Whelan Browne, the ABC and Fairfax Media for defamation in the NSW Supreme Court.

The 56-year-old claims the media companies and Ms Whelan Browne defamed him by publishing stories in January 2018 that he says falsely portrayed him as having harassed and bullied female performers in the 2014 run of the musical. He denies the allegations.

Australian actor and singer Brendan Irving, who played the role of Rocky during the 2014 run of the show, appeared in the witness stand on day eight of the trial.

Christie Whelan Browne performed alongside Craig McLachlan in the 2014 production of The Rocky Horror Show. Picture: Supplied via NCA NewsWire

Mr Irving told the jury that Ms Whelan Browne was “argumentative” with the director during rehearsals – a trait that he found uncommon during production.

He told the court that Ms Whelan Browne would also seek to show cast members photos on her phone during the production.

“She was going through a phase of taking photographs of her poo and showing it to the cast,” Mr Irving told the court.

“Her humour wasn’t in line with mine.”

Craig McLachlan and partner Vanessa Scammell. Picture NCA NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

Actor Ian Rooney, who worked with Mr McLachlan on the ABC series Dr Blake Mysteries, also appeared in the witness stand and told the court that Mr McLachlan had a reputation of being “very kind, warm and loving”.

He kept in contact with Mr McLachlan after the allegations of sexual harassment were aired.

“He was stunned and shocked by the allegations,” Mr Rooney told the court.

“He couldn’t believe what was being said and he would fight the charges.”

Mr McLachlan’s lifelong friend from the Central Coast, Kellie Chandler, gave evidence of the actor’s reputation and told the jury that he was a “beautiful human” who is “kind and caring”.

The court was told that Christie Whelan Browne (pictured) showed cast members photos of her ‘poo’. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Months after the allegations were aired, Ms Chandler visited Mr McLachlan, but he wouldn’t come down from his room to see her, which “broke her heart”, she told the court.

“I couldn’t imagine why he didn’t want to see me … he’s a shell of his former self,” Ms Chandler said.

The trial continues.

Originally published as Craig McLachlan defamation trial told how Christie Whelan Browne showed cast photos of her ‘poo’