Craig McLachlan was forced to cancel his big New Year’s Eve comeback when he was rushed in for emergency surgery recently.
It was meant to be the 57-year-old actor’s career comeback five years after his unsuccessful defamation suit against ABC.
But he was forced to cancel the show at the last minute when he required emergency abdominal surgery, leaving him unable to perform, he reported. the daily telegraph.
Craig McLachlan, 57, (pictured) was forced to cancel his big New Year’s Eve comeback when he was rushed in for emergency surgery recently.
“I found out I needed open abdominal surgery that needed to be done sooner rather than later, meaning before Christmas, so I wouldn’t have been in any condition to sneeze on New Year’s Eve, let alone put on boots and suit, strap on a guitar and belt a tune or two,’ said the former Neighbors star.
As you can well imagine, we are all very disappointed that we had to cancel our New Year’s Eve concert. A night that we have all been waiting for a long time.
“But as it happens in life, things come up unexpectedly and sometimes these things have to take precedence.”
It also revealed that a tragedy had befallen one of the production team, with Spotlight Revivals issuing a statement referencing a “family crisis”.
It was meant to be the relaunch of the actor’s career five years after his unsuccessful defamation suit against ABC.
“Due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, we have had to make the difficult decision to cancel the upcoming ‘Hey Good Lookin’ New Year’s Eve Concert,” they said.
‘A family crisis in the company has made this sad decision necessary. Our thoughts and support are with the respective members and their families.’
“A full refund will be available through the ticketing agency and we are looking at possibly rescheduling at a later date.”
McLachlan’s return to the stage was scheduled to take place at Adelaide’s historic Thebarton Theatre, but was quietly canceled last week at the last minute.
But he was forced to cancel the show at the last minute when he required emergency abdominal surgery, leaving him unable to perform, The Daily Telegraph reported.
Labeled a tribute to American country music star Hank Williams, the event featured a fresh take on the singer and premium ticket holders were promised a private party afterward with the man of the hour.
Offering free drinks and food, VIP guests had the chance to rub shoulders with McLachlan at the Grand Chancellor Hotel after the show.
It would have been McLachlan’s first time on stage in five years after he dropped his high-profile libel suit against ABC, the Sydney Morning Herald and Christie Whelan Browne.
The musician intended to perform covers of songs by American country music legend Hank Williams.
McLachlan’s return to the stage was scheduled to take place at Adelaide’s historic Thebarton Theatre, but was quietly canceled last week at the last minute.
“You know, to say that the last almost five years have been difficult would be an understatement to end all euphemisms,” he told The Sunday Telegraph in October.
“Professionally, literally from 1986 to January 2018, I was always working, job after job, and suddenly to be, not only jobless, but unable to imagine acting again, was completely overwhelming.”
McLachlan went on to say that it was even “more overwhelming” when fans asked if he would act again.
“Truly, the guitar has been, and continues to be, much more than just what I criticized on Mona and a lot of other songs. It’s part of who I am,” she added.
The actor and musician told The Sunday Telegraph that he would be performing songs by American country music legend Hank Williams on the show.
The announcement comes after the actor dropped his libel suit, citing the toll it had taken on his mental health and family.
McLachlan is understood to have racked up legal bills of more than $3 million from the legal fight.
He intended to sue ABC, the Sydney Morning Herald and Christie Whelan Browne over claims that he had touched, kissed and groped actresses without permission in the stage production of Rocky Horror, Neighbors, City Homicide and The Doctor Blake Mysteries.
He dismissed the claims of Ms. Whelan Browne and those of Erika Haynatz and Erika Scundi as “totally and completely false”.
The announcement comes after the actor dropped his libel suit, citing the toll it had taken on his mental health and family.
He dropped the defamation lawsuit on the first day of 11 women who were due to testify.
Dropping the libel case, McLachlan said: “The stress this case has caused me, and more importantly my family, has been absolutely overwhelming.”
“I can’t keep putting my family through that stress, and my own mental health won’t hold up to the continued pressure.”
Acting Judge Carolyn Simpson dismissed the jury after the actor’s attorney, Kieran Smark SC, sought permission to suspend proceedings.