Craig McLachlan has recorded his own tribute to Neighbours in character as ’80s heart-throb Henry Ramsay after being snubbed from Thursday’s series finale.
The 56-year-old actor, who was cleared of indecent assault charges two years ago, posted a farewell video on Facebook hours before the last episode aired.
In the clip, McLachlan addressed fans while sitting in front of a grand piano before cutting to footage of himself in Henry’s signature overalls sporting a mullet wig.
After being dropped from the series finale on Thursday, Craig McLachlan recorded his tribute to Neighbours as Henry Ramsay (’80s heartthrob Henry Ramsay).
‘Hey, everyone. He began, “I’m calling this, I’m declaring National Bib and Brace Overalls Day in Honour of Henry Ramsay.
Do you know what? I received the call in 1986 to become a host on the show. A life-changing call. It was a call I will never forget. Great memories and good people.
After pretending to hear a message from an earpiece, he said “Listen, time is tight.” The special guest is via video link. I’ll just check to see if they are there.
McLachlan, who was cleared of indecent assault charges two years ago, addressed fans while sitting in front of a piano before cutting to footage of himself in Henry’s signature overalls
The video then cut to McLachlan in a backyard in character as Henry, offering a brief message in between tending to his garden with pruning shears.
‘Hi, Craig! Hey, listen, thanks for letting me be a part of your special Neighbours celebration. He said, “I really appreciate it.”
McLachlan emphasized the word your’ in a subtle swipe at Neighbours bosses, to show how he wasn’t in the official final.
McLachlan played one of Neighbours’ most beloved characters in the late ‘80s and believes that cancel culture was the reason he was not invited to participate in the finale
He said, “Hey, this used to get a lot flack for my hair. But the mullet is back!” Henry Ramsay is also a fan of the mullet.
‘Thanks again. This is the last thing I have to do. Love you guys,’ he finished, snapping the shears.
McLachlan was a Neighbours character in late 1980s that became wildly popular. He believes that cancel culture is why he was not invited to the finale.
He was released from indecent assault charges in 2020. But he feels he was overlooked by producers because of his reputation.
McLachlan was accompanied by his onscreen sisters Charlene and Harold Bishop (Ian Smith), as well as Madge, McLachlan’s character who both died but returned as ghosts.
‘Henry’s dead mother is being reincarnated for the final episode – but cancel culture won’t allow her son Henry to appear or even be acknowledged,’ a spokesperson for McLachlan told The Sun on Wednesday.
Craig’s partner and what he did [Vanessa Scammell]”I have been through the past four and a half years. Only to find the other side. To be confronted with, among others, the attempted permanent elimination of his place in Neighbours history. It is devastating,” they said.
McLachlan, shown on the program in the late 1980s. He believes that producers snubbed him because of his unjustly damaged reputation – despite not having been convicted.
McLachlan, second left, was expelled from the finale. However, his sister Charlene (Kylie Minogue) and his stepfather Harold Bishop, (Ian Smith) both returned to the screen. His character’s mother Madge, who also died on the show, will return as a ghost.
Craig was not invited by Neighbours to be part of the finale episode.
McLachlan portrayed Henry between 1987 to 1989 and won three Logie Awards for the role, including the gong for Most Popular Actor.
The Neighbours finale would have been McLachlan’s his first acting gig since he was found not guilty of indecently assaulting actors during the running of The Rocky Horror Show musical in 2014.
McLachlan claimed that McLachlan’s alleged misconduct while working on this production wasn’t more offensive than giving a friend a pat on his bum.
!['What Craig and his partner [Vanessa Scammell] have endured over the past four-and-a-half years - only to come out the other side and be confronted by, among other things, the attempted permanent erasing of his part in Neighbours history - is devastating,' a spokesperson for McLachlan told The Sun. (Pictured with partner Vanessa Scammell)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/06/16/05/43048377-9691169-Allegations_Police_had_alleged_McLachlan_either_indecently_assau-a-54_1623818957295.jpg)
“What Craig and his Partner” [Vanessa Scammell]They have suffered over the past four and-a-half year – but to finally come out of the other side, be confronted with, among others, the attempted permanent erasing his part Neighbours history–is devastating,’ McLachlan spokeswoman told The Sun. (Photo: Vanessa Scammell as partner.
Melbourne Magistrate Belinda Wallington declared McLachlan inadmissible of all charges, in a lengthy 105-page ruling.
Ms Wallington claimed McLachlan was influenced by his “egotistical self- entitled sense of humor” that made him believe other people would not mind, or even find McLachlan funny.
It should be noted that the four complainants gave honest and brave testimony. Wallington claimed that Ms Wallington was not convinced of evidence of collusion.
According to the rep, Craig wasn’t invited to appear in the finale episode. McLachlan appears as Henry Ramsay in Neighbours.
“I didn’t believe there was any evidence that the motive was being used, nor that the complainants were motivated by career ambitions.
During the case, McLachlan endured months of scrutiny which saw him and his partner Vanessa Scammell forced to make their way through media packs outside of a Melbourne court.
McLachlan then sued Sydney Morning Herald, ABC, and Christie Whelan Browne in defamation for publishing allegations that he touched, kissed, or groped actresses during Rocky Horror stage productions, Neighbours (City Homicide), and The Doctor Blake Mysteries.
In December 2020, McLachlan was found not guilty of indecently assaulting actors during the running of The Rocky Horror Show musical in 2014 (pictured on stage as Frank N Furter)
McLachlan claimed that McLachlan’s alleged infraction while working on this production wasn’t more offensive than a cricketer giving his teammate a pat the bum
On the date that 11 female witnesses were to be called, the plaintiff in defamation dropped his suit. He cited the impact it was having on his family’s mental health as the reason.
McLachlan has been charged with legal fees in excess of $3million, it is said.
The series finale of Neighbours, which first aired in 1985 and has been on screens for 37 years, saw a host of former stars, including Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Guy Pearce, return to Ramsay Street one last time.
Toadie (Ryan Moloney), Melanie’s wedding, was the finale. Many familiar faces were reunited at the lakeside ceremony. After the party, other friends – Margot Robbie and Donna Freedman- sent video messages to send their best wishes to celebrate the occasion.
Neighbours’ series finale, first broadcast in 1985, was seen on television for 37 years. Former stars Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, and Guy Pearce all returned to Ramsay Street once more.