Hey Dad! actress Sarah Monahan has flown from the United States to Australia to make an official complaint over her alleged sexual abuse while on the hit TV show.

Monahan has made claims in magazines and on television that Hey Dad! actor Robert Hughes abused her while she played his on-screen daughter in the 80s and 90s.

Hughes has vehemently denied the allegation and his legal team has been in contact with NSW Police.

On Thursday night, Monahan told Channel Nine she had flown from the US especially to make an official complaint.

“As soon as people said ‘you need to go to the police’ I was at the airport within three hours and caught the first flight out,” she said.

“We’re headed straight to the police.”

NSW Police say they “stand ready” to launch a formal investigation.

Detective Superintendent John Kerlatec, commander of the Sex Crimes Unit, confirmed police have started collating information.

“A number of police have been assigned and are ready to take up any follow up investigations or inquiries that need to be done,” he said.

He added: “Police need to see detailed allegations by any victims to determine what crime or crimes have been committed.”

Detective Superintendent Kerlatec says while police are not yet conducting a formal investigation, they are looking into it.

“Because of the exposure of this matter, people have made contact that either know of somebody who may be a witness, know of someone who may have additional information,” he said.

“It would be dangerous not to collate that information at this time.

“At some point in the future, if and when an investigation increases, it may be a lost opportunity to find that information then.”

Hey Dad! was one of the most popular shows on TV in the late 1980s and early 90s.

The sitcom focussed on the whacky adventures of Martin Kelly – an architect, single-handedly raising three children after the death of his wife.

But it is now likely to be better remembered for the allegation by Monahan to Women’s Day magazine and to Channel Nine’s A Current Affair that she was fondled during her time with the show.

Monahan, who now lives in the US, played young schoolgirl Jenny Kelly on the program for six years.

Initially, she would not name the man she claims assaulted her.

But on Wednesday night, A Current Affair pointed the finger at Hughes, who played the father of Monahan’s character.

From Singapore, where he now works, Hughes told the show he strenuously denied the allegation.

“I’m absolutely, totally shocked at the allegations and I deny, absolutely deny everything,” he said.

“I’m absolutely puzzled as to why this is being said now.”