Hey Hey It’s Saturday co-creator and former producer Gavan Disney is facing rape and indecent assault charges.

The 58 year old has been charged with nine sex offences including eight counts of indecent assault of a male and one of rape.

But Disney, of Toorak, yesterday issued a statement through lawyer Steven Pica, saying he was innocent and would vigorously defend the claims.

The TV stalwart was the producer on Hey Hey from its inception in 1971 until he fell out with host Daryl Somers in 1990.

He is credited with transforming the Saturday morning children’s show into a national institution.

The charges relate to incidents alleged to have taken place in the early 1980s, when Mr Disney was employed at Ballarat television station, BTV6.

Covering a period of at least three years, they all relate to one alleged victim, aged 18, when the first incident is claimed to have taken place and who also worked at the station.

All the incidents are alleged to have occurred at the TV station or nearby, in a car or houses.

Frederick Harold Fargher, the host of nightly variety show Six Tonight on BTV6 – which ran from 1971 to 1983 – has also been charged with indecent assault, following an investigation into the alleged victim’s claims.

Fargher, 68, of Ballarat, could not be contacted.

After a falling out with Somers, Disney moved to Channel 10, where he produced the hit show Healthy, Wealthy and Wise.

Responding to the allegations yesterday, Mr Pica, of solicitors Clarebrough Pica Partners, said: “Gavan Disney is a man of good character. He is innocent and will vigorously defend the allegations”.

Source: Herald Sun