Craig McLachlan’s return to theater seems to have ended before it began, as he was compelled to withdraw from an upcoming show due to online harassment that began after his casting was made public.

The actor and singer, 60, withdrew from next year’s national tour of Cluedo, a play based on the popular board game, following industry backlash.

In a video statement posted on his Instagram on Tuesday, McLachlan explained that he had been the subject of a social media campaign, which ‘impacted those involved in the production’.

He revealed that he and two other actors were targets of the bullying, along with others close to him.

‘The bullying even extends to my partner, Vanessa, and our friends and family,’ he said.

‘Only days before the announcement, I made it very clear that I didn’t want my inclusion in the cast to impact negatively on any of the other actors.

Craig McLachlan announced he’s pulling out of his upcoming stage show less than a week after his casting was confirmed

‘The two actors mentioned with me in the show have been, and continue to be, harassed and bullied by their peers… I cannot and will not allow my participation in a production to lead to good people being targeted by trolls and bullies. Consequently, I have decided to pull out of the show.’

The career setback came at an already emotional time for McLachlan, whose mother died on Monday.

‘I have had the rare privilege of caring for my dear mum over these past eight years, caring for her, being her companion,’ he said.

‘And shortly after composing my statement that I wanted to share with you yesterday, my dear mum passed.’

McLachlan was set to star in the stage production alongside Genevieve Lemon and Grant Piro, with the cast announced last week.

The show is based on the 1985 film Clue, which was inspired by the classic board game.

Cluedo was set to be McLachlan’s stage comeback after being effectively ostracized by the industry eight years ago, following allegations of sexual assault and harassment during The Rocky Horror Picture Show productions.

He had to step down from his lead role as Frank-N-Furter in 2018 after three female co-stars accused him of harassment while performing with him four years earlier.

McLachlan revealed that the bullying targeted him and two other actors, and also affected his partner, Vanessa, and their family. Pictured in 2016

The fallen star was made to step down from his lead role as Frank-N-Furter in a 2018 Australian production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show after three of his former female co-stars accused him of serious inappropriate behavior while performing with him four years earlier.

He faced 13 charges of of assault and indecent assault but was acquitted on all counts following a four-week trial in December 2020.

McLachlan, who has always vehemently denied the allegations, said he had suffered crippling anxiety as a result of the ordeal and had been apprehensive about a return to the limelight.

He recently said he managed to overcome his anxiety with the help of ‘the best psychiatrist in Australia’ – and by playing guitar alongside country crooner Andy Penkow in an ongoing series of pub rock gigs around the country.

McLachlan said his therapy – both on his psychiatrist’s couch and on stage along Penkow – helped him finally overcome much of the rage that has consumed him since the allegations against him were first aired.

The one-time Neighbours star had been a fixture of the Australian entertainment industry for more than three decades before his career collapsed over the scandal.

McLachlan has kept a low profile in recent years, but appeared on the reality series, SAS Australia, in 2023.