Today, Australia woke up to 70-year-old Don Burke, one of our most loved television presenters, peering from the front page of Fairfax Media’s biggest newspapers.
“A high-grade twisted abuser,” reads the headline, followed by quotes from women like, “he put his hands on my T-shirt and tried to pull my bra off.”
More than 50 people have made allegations of sexual misconduct against Burke, who hosted Burke’s Backyard for 17 years on Channel Nine and is a recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia, according to a joint investigation by the ABC and Fairfax.
Louise Langdon, who worked alongside Burke in the late 1980s, alleges that he showed her a video of a woman having sex with a donkey, offered “persistent commentary about anything sexual”, and frequently tried to remove her clothing and see her underwear.
A former crew member told Fairfax she once watched Burke approach a group of schoolgirls on the street, and asked if they’d like him to show them “how to hold their puppy properly”. When he returned to the film crew, he allegedly joked that he had stroked one of the girls’ breasts numerous times.
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The allegations are extensive, consistent and confronting. It appears Don Burke’s behaviour might have been an open secret in the entertainment industry, with many women, and even some cab drivers tasked with dropping women off at his home, alleging they warned others of his ‘vile’ and ‘predatory’ behaviour.
Burke denied all accusations levelled against him and has hired a top defamation lawyer.
But in light of these allegations, with descriptions of Burke as a “psychotic bully,” a “misogynist”, and a “horrible, horrible man,” there are moments from Burke’s Backyard that Australians are finding themselves revisiting.
One video which has resurfaced this morning, features Annalise Braakensiek, model, actress and vegetarian cook, standing in her kitchen alongside Burke.
“I am not going to ask you the question that you loathe,” he says, holding both hands in the air, almost as if to surrender.
“I will not ask you…”
"Thank you!" Braakensiek says, before she is interrupted by Burke who says, "Are your breasts real?"
Braakensiek laughs uncomfortably, turning away from Burke, who cackles and pursues the question, moving in closer and persisting, "But are they?"
"I knew it," she laughs.
In another episode from 1992, Burke visited the home of Sophie Lee, an Australian actress and author.
As they sit across from each other at her dining table he says to the then 24-year-old, "Most people would probably never pick you as having come from an academic type of family."
"Why not?" she replies.
"Well if anything you've been typecast in the roles you've done... not exactly I suppose as 'the bimbo'... but I mean I'd say there would be those that criticise that..."
Lee, noticeably taken aback by the question, says, "It's very sexist... this is not fair... people should trust more in the women of Australia. You can have a whole lot of things going for you, and why shouldn't you?"
A more recent clip of Burke on Can of Worms from 2011 has also been widely shared in light of the allegations against him, where he answers the question, "Do Australian's swear too much?" on a panel alongside Jessica Rowe, Meshel Laurie, and Tom Ballard.
"I love swearing," he says, "And I'll be perfectly honest, I love nothing better than a good f*ck."
Rowe stands beside him, laughing, "Can I walk out?"
"That's offensive," she protests, while Ian Dickson tells her to sit back down.
Later, Burke makes a joke about "scratching his balls," simulating the act beside Rowe.
"I always thought he was a nice man," Rowe says, "looking after people's gardens!"
The comments pouring in on social media today echo Rowe's sentiment.
It is important to note, of course, that at this point these are just allegations.
The story of Don Burke, the lovable gardener, a husband and a grandfather, has only just begun.
Top Comments
Truly a sociopath with massive narcissism/misogyny. Burke using "self-diagnosed Asperger’s syndrome" as an excuse is pure narcissism. He believes 100% he is not guilty ,and tries to deflect his behavior by making up some mental illness as the reason for his problems. Sound familiar?(Spacey) Finally like a true sociopath, he has two personalities, the lovable,caring and nurturing gardener but when the cameras are off, the "Hyde" comes out. If he truly suffers from Asperger's syndrome , how could he be host of a TV show for 15+ years , going to different locations and meeting/interacting with new ppl with complete confidence?
I knew a guy who was one of the sub-contractors that would help him with "backyard blitz" style gardening I always remember him saying that Don Burke was the most diva-ish man he had ever worked with, treated any woman as if they were his slave, would not work with one director because she was a woman, had the foulest language this guy had ever heard (and he had worked on the wharves at one stage) and was quick with the put-downs. My friend was asked to work with him on another project and answered with a resounding NO! He could not even watch "Burke's Backyard" after that.