Former Soap Star Wrongfully Sacked, Court Rules

A former Neighbours star has been awarded £86,000 after a judge ruled he was wrongfully axed from the show.

Shane Connor, who played Joe Scully on the TV soap and is due to appear in Stoke-on-Trent's Christmas pantomime, was fired by its producer, Grundy Television, in September 2003 on grounds of negligence and misconduct.

The supreme court in Victoria in Australia heard that Connor, who allegedly had a drug habit, was repeatedly warned about his behaviour on the set, with the show's producers Grundy Television claiming he was aggressive to cast members and turned up for work with hangovers. After allegedly falling asleep on the set he was fired.

But judge Robert Osborn ruled that there were no grounds for Connor's dismissal at the time of his sacking in September 2003.

The judge said there was no evidence Connor went to sleep on set, that he was absent when needed or that he disobeyed instructions. He ordered Grundy to pay Connor A$196,709 (£86,000) plus interest and legal costs.

Grundy said in a statement it "does not agree with the decision of the court, and is considering its position".