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Neighbours star wins sacking case

A former star of Australian soap Neighbours has won damages of AUS$196,709 (£84,416) after a judge ruled he was unfairly sacked.
Shane Connor, who played Joe Scully for four years, sued Grundy Television over his axing from the long-running soap.

The company had claimed Mr Connor was aggressive towards other cast members and fell asleep on set.

A judge ruled that while he had been given a final warning he should not have been sacked five months later.

"The actions of Grundy were not only personally distressing but also did significant damage to my professional standing and career," Mr Connor said in a statement.

"I have asked my lawyers to examine the court's findings and advise me of any other legal action I may wish to consider."

Mr Connor, who is to appear in panto in Stoke this Christmas, was sacked from the daytime soap in September 2003 on the grounds of negligence.

Victoria State Supreme Court heard he had been repeatedly warned about his behaviour on set and for turning up for work with hangovers. He had previously overcome an amphetamine addiction.

His final written warning came five months before his contract was terminated after Grundy claimed he fell asleep and failed to follow direction.

But judge Robert Osborn decided Grundy did not have grounds for dismissal at the time of the sacking.

"There is no evidence the plaintiff went to sleep," he said.

"There is no evidence he was absent from the set when required. There is no evidence the plaintiff disobeyed any direct instruction," he added.

Grundy said it was considering appealing against the ruling.

[Tubthumper]

Woo!

Think he'll go back now? Haha.

Joe Vs. Joe - until they realise Lyn is an annoying fuck.

[Pot o Paint]

That explains alot. I was wondering for ages why Joe suddenly dissapeared. As for Joe vs. Joe, my money would be on Mangle. Don't know why just like the cut of his jib more.

[Jan]

Mangle (with help from Bouncer the 5th) would send Scully down to China Town... I'd like to see it.

[beeker]

isn't mangle a hippy now? still i reckon the old mangle would come our in a bare knuckle street fight. he'd tear that scully a new one.

[Jan]

Mangle isn't a hippy, he just has more liberal views to hippy types, what with Sky being all "save the rainforest" and all that shite.

[*SJ*]

Originally Posted by Pot o Paint

That explains alot. I was wondering for ages why Joe suddenly dissapeared. .

I knew he left Lynn Scully...didn't know why the actor suddenly left though.

[Noir]

there were so many rumours. i heard: he was a peadofile (sorry cant spell), he was an alcoholic, he was a junkie, he randomly ran away into the bush, there were a few others too.

[Jan]

I heard he punched a producer and that's why he was sacked.

[lollerskates]

like, i still can't understand why neighbours is still ace even while joe isn't in it.