Craig McLachlan has pulled out of the planned national tour of the stage play Cluedo less than a week after his casting was confirmed, saying a targeted social media campaign had begun to affect other people involved in the production.

In a video posted to his Instagram on Tuesday, the 60-year-old actor and singer said he had been the focus of online bullying that had extended beyond himself to two other cast members, and that he would not allow his participation to result in "good people being targeted by trolls and bullies." "Those two actors mentioned alongside me have been and continue to be harassed and bullied by their peers ... I cannot and will not let my involvement in a show result in good people being targeted by trolls and bullies," he said.

McLachlan said the abuse had also reached his partner, Vanessa, and their friends and family. He said he had delayed announcing his decision because his mother died one day before he planned to speak publicly: "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.

The Cluedo production had been billed as McLachlan's return to the stage after an eight-year absence from the Australian live theatre scene. He left a 2018 production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show amid allegations from former female co-stars alleging inappropriate behaviour. Victoria Police later charged him with 13 offences of assault and indecent assault after an investigation into those claims; McLachlan was acquitted of all charges following a four-week trial in December 2020. He has consistently denied the allegations and has previously said the experience caused him crippling anxiety and made him wary of returning to the public spotlight.

Representatives for the Cluedo tour and the production's casting team did not immediately issue a public comment on McLachlan's withdrawal. The play, adapted from the popular board game, had been scheduled to tour nationally next year.

McLachlan's announcement came amid renewed industry debate about casting decisions and the impact of social media campaigns on theatrical productions. He framed his withdrawal as a decision taken to protect colleagues and their families from being subjected to the same harassment he described.

Further details about the production's casting plans or any replacement for McLachlan had not been released at the time of publication.