Entertainer Todd McKenney, who is currently staring in the Melbourne season of The Rocky Horror Show, has been criticised for ‘outing’ fellow performer Simon Gallaher.

McKenney appeared on Melbourne’s queer radio station JOY 94.9 over the weekend. Chatting to Benjamin Norris on the program Word for Word he recounted his childhood growing up in Perth. McKenney revealed that his parents had split up when he was young, and he’d grown up with his Mum and his sister Lisa.

When Norris asked what kind of relationship he has with his sister McKenney said it was “weird”, revealing his sister was married to his ex-boyfriend.

“She married my ex-boyfriend, and is still married to my ex-boyfriend, and just has never mentioned it to me.  It’s weird isn’t it?” McKenney said, noting that he’d never spoken about the situation publicly.

McKenney said he had been in a relationship with respected performer and producer Simon Gallaher for five years.

Gallaher was a household name in the early 1980’s make regular appearance on television and stage. The piano playing singer had a popular variety show on ABC and later went on to produce popular stage productions of Gilbert and Sullivan operas starring alongside Jon English.

“We did Pirates of Penzance together.” McKenney said, noting their relationship lasted for five years, “It wasn’t a weekend fling at the drive-ins”

McKenney said the first he knew that his sister was dating his former partner was when cast mates in Cats told them about the relationship.

“They got married, they’ve got three kids, and I’m close to their kids.” McKenney said before saying his philosophy was “go for it – if you’re happy – got for it.”

The musical theatre star said he had never been close to his sister Lisa, describing their relationship as “chalk and cheese”, but he said he was tired of not being able to talk publicly about this part of his life.

McKenney said he realised everyone would now be talking about the revelation but said, “he didn’t care”.

The entertainer said he turned down opportunities to write his memoirs on more than one occasion because he didn’t think that it would be fair to speak about this time in his life until the couples children were older.

Gallaher, who has never previously spoken about his sexuality, has hit back labeling McKenney a “headline whore”.

“I have only one thing to say. Todd McKenney is a Headline Whore. Shame on him. His sister on the other hand is the love of my life and wife of over 31 years. I love her to the end of the world.” Gallaher posted to his Facebook page according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

On social media McKenney has been criticised for making the information about Gallaher’s sexuality, while some people have questioned JOY 94.9’s decision to air the interview.

OIP Staff

JOY 94.9 was contacted for comment.