Charlie Sheen plans to return to Australia despite domestic violence controversy

HOLLYWOOD bad boy Charlie Sheen has enjoyed a Melbourne TV ad shoot so much he may return to Australia, despite domestic violence campaigns against him.

DOMESTIC violence campaigners against Hollywood bad boy Charlie Sheen’s visa into Australia better get used to it — he enjoyed a Melbourne TV ad shoot with Gold Coast swimsuit models so much he is coming back.

The former A-list star of Platoon, Wall Street and Two and a Half Men before his public meltdown several years ago spent yesterday shooting an Ultra Tune TV commercial with bikini models and ex-AFL star turned Aussie larrikin Warwick Capper.

While Sheen spent the day on set earning a rumoured $500,000, Tom Meagher — husband of murdered Melbourne woman Jill Meagher — fuelled the debate around the appropriateness of his looming speaking tour and selection to star in the commercial.

Tom Meagher has been a strong campaigner against domestic violence, and previously questioned Sheen’s visa.

Mr Meagher questioned the message it sent and wrote to Immigration Minister David Coleman questioning why he had granted Sheen’s visa.

Meagher has been a leading campaigner against domestic violence since his wife was raped and killed walking home in Melbourne in 2012.

His protest follows activist group Collective Shout calling for a Sheen visa ban citing his history of alleged violence towards ex-partners.

But it was the last thing on Sheen’s mind as he spent eight hours on a luxury yacht doing scenes with Ultra Tune’s infamous curvy models dubbed the Rubber Girls for a shoot bound to retain the ad series mantle for most complaints annually.

Previous Ultra Tune ads have starred Jean-Claude van Damme and convicted rapist and ex-world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson.

Tyana Hansen, Laura Lydall, Charlie Sheen, Patricia Porsche and Imogen Lovell on set of the Ultra Tune ad shoot. Photo: Arthur St. John

After wrapping Sheen told the Bulletin of his buxom co-stars: “They were nothing but professional and happy to be there and made me feel most welcome.

Drawling on a cigarette, he added: “And hopefully with this company (Ultra Tune) this is the beginning of a long-term and fabulous relationship.”

Asked if that meant coming back to Australia to shoot again in an Ultra Tune ad, he said: “Why not?”

Sean Buckley, the owner of the Ultra Tune car repair and roadside assist franchise giant, said he already had his writers working on a follow up ad starring Sheen

“We’re looking at doing another one with him. It’s actually pretty weird the idea I’ve got,” said Buckley who has previously spoken about preferring “polarising” characters for his controversial ads because of the “conflict” it creates for viewers.

Before the shoot yesterday in an interview on SEN Breakfast radio show, Sheen opened up about his public meltdown, saying his famous father Martin was crucial to helping him come out of it.

Ultra Tune ads have previously starred Warrick Capper, Jean-Claude van Damme and Mike Tyson. Photo: Ryan Keen.

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Sheen said his zany behaviour during his meltdown phase a few years ago left his father “a little confused — like the rest of the planet”.

“But he was very supportive, he didn’t rush to any conclusions .... as he didn’t know what was totally going on.”

Sheen who was earning $1.8m an episode on Two and a Half Men before admitting he blew that gig, said eventually his dad talked him around.

“We had a really nice chat about it after I returned to planet Earth and he had some really good advice for me y’know.”

Sheen co-star Laura Lydall said it was amazing to do an ad with a professional like Sheen.

“He was genuinely funny, very warm and friendly and just a cool guy.”

Asked if she thought the Sheen ads would be in line with Ultra Tune commercial’s penchant for controversy, she said: “More than ever.”

Sheen’s warts-and-all speaking tour hosted by Richard Wilkins is on at Melbourne on Saturday night and Sydney on Sunday.

Tickets range from $195 to $1495.

Asked why it was like to work on a TV ad with a star of Hollywood, Mr Capper said: “Who me?”