Initially airing last Sunday night on the Seven Network, the first part of the telemovie led to INXS’ greatest hits compilation skyrocketing to number one on the ARIA charts last week, and with last night’s conclusion, has additionally pushed the band’s 1987 album Kick to the number seven spot.

Taking a close behind-the-scenes look at the band’s career, the two-part mini-series drew a whopping 1.947 viewers, making it the largest free-to-air audience that night. Directed by Daina Reid and with INXS manager Chris Murphy and guitarist Tim Farriss as consultants, Never Tear Us Apart starred Luke Arnold as the enigmatic Michael Hutchence who passed away in 1997 as a result of suicide while depressed and under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

While the telemovie proved to be hugely popular with Australian audiences, Hutchence’s half-sister Tina has criticised its makers for showing a “complete fabrication of our family” during an interview with Nova 100’s Meshel Laurie, accusing INXS band members of completely concealing their own flaws while portraying arguments which occurred within the group.

“Michael is the only Australian so far who has become a bona fide rock star on the international stage as far as I know, and I really think they really owed it to the Australian public who, let’s face it, supported them on the pub circuit on the way up, to give a true account of the INXS rise and fall.

“They certainly owe it to Michael and his family and friends to do better than that soap opera.

“They could’ve shared some of the petty jealousies they displayed in real life – now that would’ve been real good television, you know?”

INXS officially announced their split in 2012 after selling more than 30 million albums worldwide, including six UK top 10 albums.

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