Mel Greig says she was blindsided by the news that her former radio co-host Michael Christian has launched legal action against Southern Cross Austereo (SCA), the broadcaster behind 2Day FM.
Speaking exclusively to Mediaweek, Greig said she only learned of the case when contacted for comment by this publication. “I haven’t spoken to Michael in over 12 years and just need to get my head around it all before delving deeper with my thoughts and public comments,” she said. “I may very well get summoned to testify.”
Court case follows fallout from 2012 prank call
Christian is suing SCA in the Federal Court, claiming the network failed to uphold promises to support him after the now-infamous 2012 prank call to London’s King Edward VII Hospital.
At the time, Christian and Greig were presenting on 2Day FM and made the call while impersonating members of the British royal family in an attempt to gain information about Princess Catherine, then the Duchess of Cambridge.
Nurse Jacintha Saldanha, who answered the call, died by suicide days later, prompting widespread international backlash.
According to court documents seen AAP, Christian alleges he was directed by the station’s production team to make the call. Despite not contacting Grieg, she is mentioned by Christian in court documents, with legal team arguing both presenters were left to face the fallout without meaningful support.
“SCA did not immediately take public accountability for the incident, but rather allowed Mr Christian and Ms Greig to be left exposed to relentless public vitriol, harassment and abuse, including death threats,” the documents state.
“The radio presenters were left by SCA as the convenient fall guys and scapegoats for SCA management decisions and non-compliance.”
Michael Christian and Mel Grieg speaking on Today Tonight in the aftermath of the scandal
Allegations include lack of support and wrongful redundancy
Christian claims he began working at 2Day FM just two days before the prank aired and was told in early 2013 that the company would work to repair his public image and rebuild his career.
He says he chose not to pursue legal action at the time based on those assurances. However, court documents allege SCA failed to follow through, providing no meaningful mental health support or public relations backing, and offering no significant career development or pay increases.
Instead, Christian claims he was “gradually marginalised” and eventually made redundant earlier this year.
He is now seeking compensation, penalties and damages, arguing the redundancy was not genuine and that his former role still exists at the network.
SCA declined to comment directly on the case, offering a short statement: “As the matter is currently before the courts, and out of respect for the legal process and the privacy of those involved, it would be inappropriate for us to comment at this time.”
Greig had also lodged a complaint with Fair Work Australia Back in 2013, but that matter was amicably resolved.
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