McLachlan to test new evidence

CRAIG McLachlan is set to challenge the evidence of a new witness being used in a looming defamation trial over media allegations of sexual harassment.

McLachlan is suing the ABC, Nine and former colleague Christie Whelan Browne over claims that he acted inappropriately while starring in a stage production of The Rocky Horror Show in 2014.

The veteran actor claims to have been greatly injured by reports that he says wrongly accused him of indecent assault, exposing himself to female cast members and bullying.

The media outlets deny they defamed the 56-year-old but, if that is unsuccessful, they will also rely on a defence of truth.

An expected four-week trial before a jury will not start until at least April 2022, more than four years since the Gold Logie-winner first took action in the NSW Supreme Court.

The court was told on Friday the defendants had lodged a notice of motion to amend the defence case several years after it was first filed.