Disgraced TV host Don Burke breaks eight year silence on sexual harassment allegations

Former TV host Don Burke has broken his eight-year silence following multiple allegations of sexual harassment and bullying, arguing he was the target of a media-driven “vendetta”.

The gardener, who hosted the hugely popular Burke's Backyard from 1987 to 2004, was one of Australia's most popular TV personalities but he fell from grace in 2017 when a joint ABC and Fairfax investigation detailed allegations from more than 50 journalists, production crew and TV personalities.

Among those to speak out were Kerri-Anne Kennerley, sports reporter Caroline Wilson and Olympian Susie O'Neill.

Burke has always denied all accusations against him and was interviewed on A Current Affair by Tracy Grimshaw defending himself from all accusations. He hasn't appeared on TV since then.

But in a new interview, Burke has insisted his "cancellation" was driven by industry enemies.

"It was people in the media who hated my guts and ganged up against me," he told Daily Mail Australia.

"Most of it was media. TV is dying, newspapers are dying, and [they] were forced to go out and find the most horrible stuff of all time that they could."

"People that know us knew it was horrible and that it wasn't true," he added.

"There was one court case which we don't bother with. It went to the High Court and they said it was nonsense. We got costs."

Two former TV researchers claim Burke groped their breasts, while a young actress claims he told her she would have to do an audition topless for his G-rated show.

After the allegations of sexual harrassment that ended his career, Burke said, "I never let it get to me."

The 78-year-old has now written a new book on the genetics of breeding budgies but claims he still makes Burke's Backyard episodes for YouTube.

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