‘90s TV star Don Burke calls in lawyers over shocking claims
Australian TV icon and host of Burke’s Backyard, Don Burke, has reportedly called in lawyers after a joint investigation by the ABC and Fairfax revealed a series of damning assault, sexual harassment and bullying allegations against the 70-year-old.
According to the report, a number of women who worked with Burke in the ‘80s and ‘90s described him as a “psychotic bully”, a “misogynist” and a “sexual predator”.
“He was a vile, vile human being,” former Burke’s Backyard producer Bridget Ninness told the Sydney Morning Herald. “He was lewd and he was crude,” and his constant talk of sex was “designed to confront you and to demean you”.
Another colleague, researcher Louise Langdon, recalled “ongoing harassment” by Burke, including him trying to take off her top. On another occasion, Langdon alleges the star “put his foot into my rear end, with the view to checking the tone of my ... my backside”.
Former CEO of the Nine Network, David Leckie, told SMH he wasn’t surprised to receive their call regarding the claims. “I've been trying to think of Harvey Weinstein-type people [in Australia] and the only one I can ever come up with is Burke,” he said. “He was a horrible, horrible man.”
A total of over 50 people interviewed in the investigation have made serious allegations against Burke, who has since reportedly engaged top defamation lawyer Patrick George to fight the claims.
In a written response, Burke denied “absolutely” the allegations of sexual harassment and bullying, claiming “a small number” of ex-employees “still bear a strong grudge against me” because he was a “perfectionist” who demanded excellence.