Neighbours actors commonly hungover, says Kiwi cast member

Jay Bunyan

MELBOURNE - A New Zealand born former Neighbours actor has told a court it was not uncommon for fellow cast members to turn up affected by drug or alcohol "hangovers".

Jay Bunyan was giving evidence at a Victorian Supreme Court civil hearing in which former Neighbours star Shane Connor is suing the show's producer Grundy Television.

Mr Connor is suing for wrongful termination of his contract and is seeking about $A200,000 ($NZ215,866) in damages.

When asked by Mr Connor's lawyer, Dyson Hore-Lacy, whether he had seen anyone affected by a drug or alcohol hangover on set, Mr Bunyan replied: "Yes I have on many occasions, it's not uncommon for cast members to turn up in that state".

Mr Bunyan, who played the character Jack Scully between July 2002 and August 2004, said: "You usually see it with some of the younger cast members turning up hungover, or with dilated pupils ... as a result of drugs or alcohol."

"They usually get quick-smart into makeup to hide it."

Mr Connor, who played Joe Scully on the show between July 1999 and September 2003, has told the court he developed an amphetamine problem in 2001 after the death of his brother.

He used the drug intermittently in the evenings and had sometimes turned up to work with a drug hangover, he told the court.

He admitted his amphetamine use to cast members in late April 2003 after overcoming his drug habit, he said.

Mr Connor was sacked several months later and Grundy Television alleges he disrupted production through lateness and absenteeism, and verbally abused cast and crew.

During cross-examination by Grundy Television's lawyer, Herman Borenstein, SC, Mr Bunyan agreed that he had a close relationship, on and off the show, with Mr Connor, his on-screen father.

However, he denied "slanting" his evidence in favour of Mr Connor.

"I have just said what I see has happened, I wouldn't say there's slanting," he said.

He described Mr Connor as "a good guy to be around", who was supportive of young actors on the show.

Veteran Neighbours actor Alan Fletcher, who has played Doctor Karl Kennedy on the show for 11 years, told the court Mr Connor was a "vigorous actor", was forthright in his opinions and played his character well.

Mr Fletcher said he did not see any evidence of Mr Connor's drug taking in his performance before he told fellow cast members about his drug problem.

However, he said one performer, whose name he could not recall, had told him Mr Connor had behaved "appallingly" two weeks prior to his dismissal and it was like "the bad Shane was back".

He also said Neighbours producers had asked him to speak to Mr Connor about his behaviour and other concerns.

The case, before judge Justice Robert Osborn, continues tomorrow.

- AAP