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First death threats, then a thumping in a Melbourne shopping mall made famous by the TV comedy show Kath and Kim: life is not all roses for Corey Worthington, Australia's teenager from hell.
The 16-year-old, who burst to international fame by posting an open invitation on MySpace to a party at the family home while his parents were away on holiday, was filmed on mobile phone copping a hiding from a gang of local youths tired of his celebrity posing.
The footage was later shown on Channel Nine's A Current Affair, which had earlier led the charge against both his party and the unrepentant boasting that followed it.
Cynics have suggested that the fight was staged to gain extra publicity for Worthington, who is now represented by leading celebrity agent Max Markson.
Melbourne's tabloid Daily Telegraph yesterday said police were investigating the possibility that the fight was a hoax, and that Worthington could be charged either with affray if real or, if the fight was faked, with public mischief. Worthington - who reverted to his birth name after finding fame as Corey Delaney - previously escaped charges following rioting by about 500 youths who flocked to his party in the Melbourne suburb of Narre Warren last month.
His parents have also avoided a A$20,000 ($22,780) bill threatened by police following the night of violence.
Mother Jo and stepfather Stephen Delaney cut short their Queensland holiday as the party hit national headlines, appalled that their son had lied to stay at home and stage Australia's most infamous bash.
Police said at the time that they considered the parents responsible by leaving a minor alone, despite Worthington's reported claim to have arranged to stay at a friend's house.
Now the police, and the media, are back in force.
According to the youth who supplied the fight footage to Channel Nine, Worthington and a group of supporters had been involved in a fracas with another gang last week, and had gone back to the mall on Monday to have it out again.
"He knew he was going to get it, but he just didn't want to be a wuss," the youth told A Current Affair.
The footage shows Worthington, in a bright green singlet top and without his trademark sunglasses, exchanging blows with another youth as an onlooker calls: "Chris, give it to him".
The two wrestle to the ground, before Worthington escapes but is spun into another group, who begin punching him.
Resentment at Worthington's celebrity, Channel Nine was told, was the cause of the fight: "He thinks he's all that, he's famous now."
There is no doubt Worthington is famous. His party was reported around the world and stirred furious debate within Australia between those who believed he was a total prat in need of a good spanking, and admirers who saw him as a badge of rebellion.
Even aging rocker Ozzy Osbourne, the self-proclaimed "Prince of Darkness" from Black Sabbath, had his say, advising Worthington to throw a bigger and better party.
On the internet, hits on the Worthington-inspired game "Slap Corey" are nearing one million.
Markson has sold a nationwide tour, with Worthington hosting and DJ-ing parties. Markson, with a reported 20 per cent commission, has also said he was talking to US party organisers and clothing labels, and that Worthington would appear in London, Blackpool, Brighton and Torquay. "He's probably the world's Number One party boy right now," he told news.com.au.
