Former Neighbours star Meyne Wyatt recalls experiencing racism on set
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Former Neighbours star Meyne Wyatt has recalled experiencing racism on set while he was a series regular.
Wyatt played Nate Kinski on the Australian soap between August 2014 and June 2016.
Shareena Clanton, who makes her first appearance as a second Sheila Canning this week on Australian screens, recently posted that she would never work on the show again as she described several racist incidents in her allegations.
Following her post, Wyatt shared his own experiences and called for everyone to "do better".
"I experienced racism on set. It involved the C-word and I called it out, and it didn't happen around me again," he said on Twitter.
"Though I did walk in on this incident? So I have no doubt things were being said behind my back. I have too much experience to believe otherwise.
"And it is disappointing but not at all surprising to hear that five years later, racism continues to be present in the workplace. But what can you say, we are in Australia."
He continued: "These attitudes are prevalent around the industry. And we are f**ken tired of calling this shit out.
"Individuals, actors, cast, and crews! To the production companies, to the networks!
"Do better. Be better. You can always do better. The work is not finished. Even when you think you have, just know you haven't. Because you haven't. It saves time from me calling you a racist and humiliating you, if you don't do shit [in] the first place!"
Wyatt also accused the set of homophobia during his time on the show, writing: "The homophobia that was present whilst I was on Neighbours was f**king rampant! The comments and jokes and innuendos were ridiculous!
"It made for a very unsafe environment for anyone in the LGBTQIA+ community and the shit needs to be stamped out.
"Racism and homophobia needs an active and present force behind it to be driven out! Neighbours, do better! The film and TV industry, do better! Australia, do better!"
Responding to Clanton's allegations against the show, a Neighbours spokesperson commented: "Neighbours strives to be a platform for diversity and inclusion on-screen and off-screen. Our quest is always to continue to grow and develop in this area and we acknowledge that this is an evolving process.
"Shareena's involvement in the creative process and on set was invaluable and hugely educational and will benefit the series moving forward.
"There have been significant and lengthy discussions with Shareena during her time on Neighbours and we will continue to work with all cast and crew to ensure Neighbours continues to be a fully inclusive environment."
Neighbours declined to comment any further on Wyatt's claims when contacted by Digital Spy.
Neighbours airs weekdays at 1.45pm and 5.30pm on Channel 5 (UK) and 6.30pm on 10 Peach (Australia).
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