Disgraced TV host Peter Everett breaks silence after being charged with sexually touching teenage boy without consent
The TV host was accused of the offence relating to a 16-year-old boy, alleged to have occurred in the Central Coast town of Toukley last Friday.
He was subsequently required to report for bail at Waverley Police Station in Sydney's east, where he stopped to speak to media on Tuesday.
"I am holding up as well as possible," Everett told Daily Mail Australia.
"My solicitor has advised me not to speak, but I am pleading not guilty."
Everett first attempted to evade a waiting media pack by driving around Sydney's east for two hours before returning to make the statement.
Mandatory interim conditions, including bans on assaulting, threatening, stalking, harassing or intimidating the alleged victim, remain in place.
Meanwhile, police on Monday sought an Apprehended Violence Order against Everett on behalf of a third party identified as 'MD'.
The matter will be heard at Wyong Local Court on Thursday.
Everett fronted Sydney's Parramatta Court on Saturday, where the fallen TV star pleaded not guilty and denied the sexual touching allegations.
He was granted bail with strict conditions, which include reporting to the police station twice a week.
Everett was arrested and spent Friday evening incarcerated before appearing in court the following day.
A NSW Police spokesperson told SkyNews.com.au officers were investigating the alleged sexual touching of the 16-year-old boy.
"Following extensive inquiries, police arrested a 66-year-old man at a home at Toukley," the spokesperson said.
"The man was taken to Wyong Police Station where he was charged with sexually touch another person without consent."
Everett was sacked from the Australian adaptation of Ready Steady Cook in 2011, a competition show that features two teams, each consisting of a chef and a guest, competing to prepare meals using given ingredients.
He was about to board a plane for an overseas holiday when he received a call from Rory Callaghan, former CEO of Southern Star Productions (Endemol Shine Australia), informing him he was not to return to the show.
The TV host opened up about the matter in 2019 and said Callaghan told him during the phone call he thought he was "greater than the show."
"I had no idea what that meant," he told News.com.au.
"I think it meant I thought I was so indispensable and that they couldn't do the show without me."
"I said, 'I am a large part of the show, but I just want the best for the show'."
Callaghan defended his decision, telling TV Tonight Network Ten had "reached a point" where production needed to progress without Everett.
"It was a hard production with him, so it was time to move on," he said.
Everett hosted the show five years after he took over the reins from Nick Stratford in 2006.
He went on to transform it from a low-rated show into a commercial success, with the program nominated for three Logies during his tenure.
Comedian Colin Lane next replaced Everett, who in 2023 launched a fiery spray at Channel 10 for not inviting him back to the 2024 reboot.
Everett admitted to being like a spoiled child at being snubbed for the hosting role, which was handed to Chef Miguel Maestre.
"I was like a three-year-old for a couple of days, who constantly asks, "Why, why, why?'" he told New Idea.
"They didn't approach me for some reason. Who knows why? It's a shame."
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