Serial pest targeting popular Melbourne celebs

A serial pest calling himself Peter Hitchener’s “husband” is targeting celebrities, and his threats have Rhonda Burchmore fearing for her safety.

Rhonda Burchmore has sought legal advice over the man’s behaviour.

Melbourne’s celebrity community is on alert as a serial pest harasses our most loved identities.

Masquerading as Peter Hitchener’s “husband” the man has been making contact with small-screen talent, including Real Housewives of Melbourne stars.

The pest has also become a regular nuisance at major events.

Nine is aware of the phony posing as Mr Hitchener. It’s understood the network approached him directly to stop pretending he has ever had a relationship with Melbourne’s beloved news anchor.

Now he is targeting another Melbourne treasure, our queen of theatre Rhonda Burchmore.

Attending the opening night for the 9 to 5 The Musical on Thursday at the Arts Centre, the man, who Page 13 has chosen not to name, later claimed on social media he was “physically assaulted” by Burchmore and would be following it up with police.

The pest masquerades as Peter Hitchener’s ‘husband’ and makes contact with Melbourne celebrities. Picture: Darren McNamara

Burchmore on Friday told Page 13 she is seeking legal advice against the man who has made regular contact with her via social media claiming to be her “bestie.”

She believes he became angry after she blocked him several times from different social media accounts and is worried about her safety with his posts recently becoming threatening.

Burchmore said it was especially “triggering” for her after she was threatened with a pest-turned-stalker in London during the ’90s when she was performing in Hot Shoe Shuffle.

She said the emotionally unstable man threatened to shoot her on stage as UK police intervened.

Burchmore said the accusations and threats made toward her and her friends on Thursday night could no longer be tolerated, with the star saying she felt vulnerable.

“It’s getting dangerous and serious now. My husband was up all night worrying. I have sought legal advice,” Burchmore told Page 13.

Rhonda Burchmore, pictured with Brianna Bishop, was confronted by the pest at the opening night of 9 to 5 the Musical. Picture: Getty Images

The man also makes regular contact with Real Housewives of Melbourne stars, asking to buy their designer dresses.

Posing as Mr Hitchener, the man has made regular contact with Real Housewives of Melbourne talent over the years including Gamble Breaux, Pettifleur Berenger, Susie McLean and Cherry Dipietrantonio.

The pest has often asked if he could buy their designer dresses worn on the reality show, claiming he wanted to donate them to charity.

“He has sent a message to every Tom, Dick, and Harry stating he is Peter Hitchener’s husband,” Dipietrantonio told Page 13.

“It seems he is living in a bit of a fantasy land, I thought he might be a Housewives superfan. He has tried it with many of the ladies over the years.”

The man was recently asked to leave the ruby rug at Six The Musical, with a representative telling him point-blank he was not a VIP.

He was overheard by media saying he was attending the show as the guest of Peter Hitchener.

The pest took part in a public tour of the Nine studios some years ago and had a picture taken of himself with Peter Hitchener and Livinia Nixon sitting at the newsdesk at the time. They have not crossed paths since.

It’s understood he went to such lengths as to change Hitchener’s Wikipedia page to state the two had married in 2019 just prior to Covid hitting.

Page 13 understands a Nine representative stated he must desist from getting in touch with the network or any of their talent.

The resounding sentiment among celebrities is, no one goes after Rhonda, or our Hitch.