The TV guru who fell from grace: Looking back at Don Burke's complicated legacy after eight years

Picture a typical Sunday evening in the 1990s. Families across Australia would gather around the telly to watch a cheerful bloke sharing his passion for plants and home improvement.

From 1987 to late 2004, Don Burke was the trusted host of Burke's Backyard. This lifestyle program became a cornerstone of Australian television.

Fast forward to the present, and that same person has just broken an eight-year silence following bombshell allegations that effectively ended his media career.

The making of a television icon

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In 2004, Business Review Weekly listed Burke as one of the top 50 entertainers, with estimated earnings of $7.2 million that year.

His success was not an accident—Burke combined his horticultural expertise with an everyman appeal that resonated with viewers across the nation.

His show's popularity also extended beyond gardening. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, more than two million Australians tuned in to watch Don Burke as he shared his love of gardening, while explaining the properties of various flora.

For many families, Burke's Backyard represented quality time together, where they learned practical skills that could improve their own homes and gardens.

When the allegations surfaced

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On 26 November 2017, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and The Sydney Morning Herald published a joint investigative piece containing claims that Burke had sexually harassed, assaulted, and bullied women throughout his career.

The timing wasn't coincidental, as the investigation came in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein revelations.

More than 500 people came forward to report behaviour by 65 industry figures. Yet, according to journalist Tracey Spicer, one name came up more than any other: Don Burke.

In total, more than 50 people made serious allegations against the 70-year-old TV host.

Two of the most prominent voices in the case were TV presenter Kerri-Anne Kennerley and Olympian Susie O’Neill.

The allegations were serious and detailed. Multiple women employees went on the record claiming Burke groped them.

On some occasions, Burke allegedly attempted to remove items of their clothing without consent. At the same time, many said he often spoke to them using highly inappropriate and explicit language.

Burke's initial response and the years of silence

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Burke's immediate reaction was emphatic denial. 'The bitter irony is that I have had a lifelong opposition to sexism and misogyny. Burke's Backyard was a lone bastion of anti-misogyny from its inception in 1987,' he stated at the time.

On the other hand, Burke admitted to having extramarital affairs. Burke acknowledged his actions, felt 'ashamed' of himself and had apologised to his wife.

The industry reckoning

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The allegations against Burke did not exist in a vacuum.

A long-term male producer revealed that management told staff to 'suck it up' because Burke's Backyard was 'the number one rating show, the cash cow for Channel Nine.'

The producer also noted that there was huge staff turnover as 'he had the power, the profile and the tacit backing of Channel Nine'.

This pattern of protecting valuable talent regardless of behaviour was symptomatic of broader industry problems.

What changed after eight years?

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Burke's decision to speak publicly again in 2025 came at a time when the media landscape had fundamentally shifted.

The #MeToo movement has evolved beyond its initial wave. Many people accused of misconduct have filed defamation lawsuits against their accusers, with advocates saying these suits can intimidate victims into silence.

The complicated legacy for viewers

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For many Australians, particularly those over 60, the Burke story represents a complex reckoning with nostalgia. The educational show brought many families together, yet the allegations cast a shadow over positive experiences.

As Justice Mossop noted in the 2019 defamation case, 'a fair-minded observer would understand that there were credible allegations made by a number of people and that Burke denied the allegations, but did so in a manner which gave rise to real doubts about the credibility of his denials'.

Two years ago, A Current Affair looked back at Don Burke's complicated legacy. Watch here:

Moving forward

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The Australian television industry has implemented stronger policies since 2017. Channel Nine stated it has 'robust policies and procedures for dealing with complaints and to support staff in such circumstances'.

However, critics still argue that these changes came too late for Burke's alleged victims.

Burke's story should be a reminder that the celebrities we see on our television screens are complex individuals whose private behaviour may not match their public personas.

Burke's eight years of silence may be over, but conversations about power, accountability, and workplace safety in Australian media continue. Whether Burke's return to public discourse will provide closure or reopen old wounds remains to be seen.

What are your thoughts on the allegations about Don Burke? Have you had to reconsider other childhood television favourites in light of similar revelations? Share your reflections in the comments below.