Australian soap opera Home And Away has been rocked by another scandal, after a leading star was charged with drug possession at the weekend (12-13Dec09).
Todd Lasance, who was recently named Most Popular Actor at Australia's Logie Awards for his role as Aden Jefferies in the show, was arrested in Sydney, Australia on Saturday (12Dec09) during a police raid at a nightclub.
The star, who is leaving the series in January (10) to pursue a career in Hollywood, was celebrating at the Home and Away Christmas party when cops allegedly caught him with a bag of white powder.
A police spokesperson says, "The 24-year-old Collaroy man was allegedly caught during a drug detection dog operation at the Darlinghurst Road club, just after 11pm (Saturday). He was issued a notice to appear in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on Monday 18 January 2010 on a charge of possessing a prohibited drug."
Lasance's manager, David Sheridan, says, "It's a legal matter and Todd is co-operating with authorities."
It's the latest in a long line of scandals for the TV show this year (09) - in June (09) actress Jodi Gordon was reported missing after a night out in Sydney, only to be later found by police at the home of a suspected drug dealer. She admitted "cocaine had been consumed" but was later released without charge.
Another cast member, Lincoln Lewis, also stunned fans after he admitted filming a sex tape with an unnamed Australian television star and showed the footage to his fellow cast members and crew.