A dark cloud has been cast over the future of popular TV show The Doctor Blake Mysteries following fresh allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour against the show’s star Craig McLachlan.

Cast and crew of the TV show have reportedly revealed details of McLachlan’s on-set behaviour, including an alleged incident where he held a banana to his crotch and thrust it into the faces of an actress and director.

One crew member told Fairfax Media McLachlan’s constant sexual innuendos might have been brushed off as a joke by some but “it looked like sexual harassment”.

Other alleged incidents include McLachlan “dry humping” a female camera assistant when the camera started rolling, and unleashing a torrent of abuse towards a woman following a scheduling mix-up, it is reported.

Producers of Doctor Blake have temporarily halted preparations for the new series while the allegations are investigated.

Television industry sources have told Fairfax the Seven Network had planned to air four telemovies towards the end of 2018 and filming was likely to start later this year.

The reports come after Christie Whelan Browne, Angela Scundi and Erika Heynatz, who appeared in the 2014 production of the Rocky Horror Show, said McLachlan inappropriately touched them or exposed himself.

A woman and a man who worked as part of the crew have also gone to Victorian police who are investigating the allegations.

McLachlan has not spoken publicly since the original allegations were raised, but has described them as “baseless” and “inventions” in a statement.