Russell Brand news – latest: Katy Perry and Dannii Minogue comments resurface amid rape allegations

The BBC and Channel 4 have pledged to investigate claims made about comedian Russell Brand after he was accused of rape, sexual assaults and emotionally abusing four women during the height of his fame.

The alleged assaults occurred between 2006 and 2013, while he was a presenter for BBC Radio 2 and Channel 4, and include an assault on a 16-year-old girl.

Meanwhile, resurfaced interviews reveal that his ex-wife Katy Perry described his behaviour as “very controlling”, while pop star Dannii Minogue also labelled him a “vile predator” in 2006.

The Metropolitan Police have said they are aware of the aware of “media reporting of a series of allegations of sexual assault” but had not received any reports in relation to this.

The 48-year-old vehemently denied the “very serious criminal allegations” ahead of the Sunday Times article and an expose which was aired by Channel 4’s Dispatches programme.

The allegations include crew members on his Big Brother spin-off being made to feel they were working as a “pimp” by approaching young women on his behalf, and that he raped a woman at his Los Angeles home.

As the allegations were aired on Saturday, Brand was performing a sold-out gig in London, where he told audience members they would “appreciate” that there were certain things he could not talk about.

Key Points

• Russell Brand denies rape and sexual assault claims against him

• Met Police encourages any victims of sexual assault to contact them

• BBC ‘urgently looking’ into allegations made about former presenter

• Dannii Minogue called Brand a ‘vile predator’ in resurfaced interview

• Katy Perry claimed Brand was ‘very controlling’ during 2013 interview

Russell Brand publisher pauses work with comedian after rape and sexual assault allegations

11:47 , Holly Evans

Russell Brand’s publisher has paused its work with the comedian and TV presenter after allegations of rape and sexual assault were made against him.

Brand, 48, has vehemently denied the allegations against him and says all of his relationships have been consensual. He is accused of sexually assaulting four women between 2006 and 2013. Others have accused Brand of predatory and abusive behaviour.

Publisher Bluebird has now announced that it has paused all future publishing with Brand. The comedian was also dropped by his agent, Tavistock Wood, following an investigation by The Times and Sunday Times, and Channel 4’s Dispatches.

Read more here

Russell Brand publisher pauses work with comedian after assault allegations

Russell Brand's father speaks out on 'vendetta' against his son

11:38 , Holly Evans

Russell Brand’s father, Ronald Brand, has spoken out about the allegations of rape and sexual assault aimed at his son by a series of women over the weekend.

Brand was the subject of a huge expose in The Times newspaper and a Channel 4 Dispatches documentary which claimed that the comedian and actor had a history of sexual assault with women as young as sixteen, all claims that the 48-year-old has strongly denied.

Read more here

Russell Brand's father speaks out on 'vendetta' against his son

Brand accuser says ‘exceptions and allowances’ were made for presenter

11:31 , Holly Evans

Asked what she would want from the BBC, Alice says she’d like to know why more was not done at the time of their relationship in 2006.

“He had a very well known record of doing things that were inappropriate on the air, he had inappropriate conversations.”

Alice says she doesn’t think Brand was being held to the same standards as other BBC presenters or newsreaders.

“There were exceptions and allowances made for him and we need to ask ourselves why,” she added.

The BBC has said it “urgently looking into the issues raised” by the allegations.

Accuser says she was left feeling ‘dirty’ after relationship with Brand

11:13 , Holly Evans

Speaking of her alleged first sexual experiences with Brand at the age of 16, Alice recalled feeling “dirty” and struggled to finish her education.

“I felt used up, cheap, dirty by the whole thing,” she said.

“I had another series of relationships with people who were sleazy because I thought if I go for bottom of the barrel I can never be disappointed by anyone because I know to expect the absolute worst.”

At the time, she was recovering from an eating disorder and described herself as “not in a good place mentally”.

The comedian has vehemently denied all the allegations and described them as a “co-ordinated attack”.

Brand ‘coached’ teenager to lie to her parents about alleged relationship

11:08 , Holly Evans

Alice says her mother tried to “stop what was going on”, took her phone away, and grounded her. But, she says, she was still able to continue the relationship with Brand.

“I’m 16 years old so I need to definitely to go to school. I need to go to after-school activities. I need to see my friends, within those times that I would sneak off and see him.”

“Russell groomed me, he coached me on what to say to my parents,” she claimed.

“He told me to save his number in my phone in a different name. I think we should at least start to think about changing the ideas of consent, because the individuals between the ages of 16 and 18 can have relations with people within that same age.”

Brand has denied the allegations against him.

Brand’s management suggested teenager ‘pretend to be his goddaughter or niece'

11:06 , Holly Evans

Alice claimed that meetings took place between Brand’s management and the presenter in which they discussed their relationship, and he was advised it was “not a good look” to be dating a 16-year-old.

At the time of the alleged relationship, the presenter was 30 years old.

Speaking to BBC Women’s Hour, Alice, whose real identity has been protected, claimed there were suggestions she should be referred to as his goddaughter or niece.

She then claimed it was decided that she should remain within his four walls and that their relationship should stay a secret.

“Because people know he was an only child, they said ‘why don’t you just meet inside?,” she alleged.

“You’re not doing anything illegal but because people disapprove, we just don’t risk being seen out and about publicly. We would go in and out the house a different times.”

Accuser claims BBC car picked her up from school to travel to Brand’s house

10:54 , Holly Evans

A woman accusing Russell Brand of engaging in a three-month relationship with her while she was 16 and he was 30 years old has claimed a BBC car collected her from school.

“The BBC would arrange cars for him so I’d seen him previously being picked up by this car. It was a chauffeur driven car, it was different to just calling a cab,” she said.

“He had a friend taking him to do his radio show so he said ‘you go in the car and go wherever you need to go from there’ so I took the BBC car that time. On another occasion a BBC car picked me up from school to go back to his house.”

Referred to as Alice, the woman claims her relationship with Brand became emotionally abusive before he sexually assaulted her.

Woman says Brand’s denial is ‘insulting’

10:50 , Holly Evans

When asked about his denials, one of Brand’s accuser told BBC Radio 4 Women’s Hour: “First of all, I think it’s insulting and it’s laughable that he would even imply this is some kind of mainstream media conspiracy. He’s not outside of the mainstream.”

She also added it was “not a surprise” to see Brand’s denials and believed that he had been “building up his audience” to believe in conspiracy theories for years.

Brand accuser says it feels ‘surreal’ to see her story in newspapers

10:43 , Holly Evans

Alice, one of four women to accuse Russell Brand of sexual abuse, says it feels “surreal” to see her story being reported everywhere.

She tells BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour that she wasn’t expecting her story to “make such an impact” because “when it’s your own story it’s hard to look at it objectively”.

Alice, whose identity has been protected, says she can’t say she’s “glad because it’s been an unpleasant experience,” but adds it was important to come forward to protect people in the future

Donald Trump once asked Katy Perry why she married 'loser' Russell Brand

10:29 , Holly Evans

Donald Trump’s Twitter timeline was a mixture of ridiculous and unhinged before being banned in 2021, most of it not worth revisiting.

However, people are now returning to one tweet about Russell Brand from way back in 2014 following allegations against the comedian.

Trump tweeted Katy Perry before he announced his run for president, asking what she saw in “loser” Brand

Donald Trump once asked Katy Perry why she married 'loser' Russell Brand

More calls have come in since Russell Brand investigation, says journalist

10:11 , Holly Evans

The team of journalists behind an investigation detailing claims of rape, sexual assault, and emotional abuse against Russell Brand has received “a huge amount of information” and “fresh allegations” since it was published on Saturday (16 September), an editor who worked on the investigation has said.

More calls have come in since Russell Brand investigation, says journalist

Russell Brand defended by his father over rape allegations

09:58 , Holly Evans

Russell Brand’s father has jumped to his defence after the comedian was accused of rape and sexual assault.

Taking to Facebook, 80-year-old Ron Brand said: “Is this seriously the most important thing happening in this world? Immigrants? Cost of living? 10s of thousands killed in Ukraine? Who is prioritising at BBC News. Who is really driving this vendetta?’.

He added: “With many struggling to pay bills. The unproven accusations of 15 years ago take lead on BBC News?”.

The allegations about Brand were initially published by The Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches.

In his autobiography, My Booky Wook, Brand discussed their relationship and claimed that he had lost his virginity to a prostitute that was paid for by his father.

Russell Brand went to rehab after ‘do-gooders’ convinced him his sexual behaviour could ‘damage his career’

09:42 , Holly Evans

An excerpt from Russell Brand’s 2007 memoir has resurfaced following rape, sexual assault, and emotional abuse allegations made against him by four women.

Four women spoke out against the Essex-born comedian, who pre-emptively and vehemently denied the “very serious allegations” against him in a statement shared on YouTube.

Read the full excerpt here

Russell Brand went to sex rehab over fears behaviour could ‘damage’ career

Russell Brand boasts about kissing Meghan Markle while ‘out of it’ on film set

09:20 , Holly Evans

Russell Brand boasts about kissing Meghan Markle while ‘out of it’ on film set

A Government minister has urged women who have experienced sexual assault to report it to the police

09:12 , Holly Evans

Asked by LBC radio host Nick Ferrari what broadcasters should do in the wake of allegations against Russell Brand, which the comedian and actor has denied, pensions minister Laura Trott told LBC radio: “I think everybody needs to do better.

“I think no woman, Nick, reading the allegations that were all over the place this weekend could do anything other than shudder. It’s horrific.

“And I pay absolute tribute to the women who’ve come forward and also the journalists that have pursued this, the editors who’ve allowed them to do that, the investment that’s been put in place and the huge legal risk that’s taken for stories such as these.

“We all need to do better. And I would just plead any woman who’s had experiences like this to come forward and to report them to the police.”

Russell Brand episodes removed from Channel 4 website following sexual assault allegations

08:41 , Holly Evans

Channel 4 has removed a number of TV episodes starring Russell Brand from its catch-up series, following allegations of sexual assault against the presenter.

The comedian, 48, has been accused of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse by four women, with the alleged incidents taking place between 2006 and 2013. At the time, Brand was at the height of his fame in the UK and was working as a presenter for BBC Radio 2 and Channel 4.

Read the full story here

Russell Brand episodes removed from Channel 4 website following rape allegations

Former Jimmy Savile investigator warns of ‘much wider problem’ in entertainment industry

08:24 , Holly Evans

The investigative journalist whose investigation into Jimmy Savile for Newsnight was suppressed by the BBC said there is a “much wider problem” in the entertainment industry

Meirion Jones told Times Radio he has been contacted by “numerous women” since the allegations about Russell Brand were exposed by the Sunday Times.

He said: “Over the last 36 hours I’ve been contacted by numerous women who worked for BBC, ITV for Channel 4, for indies, saying that this is a much, much wider problem. I mean, I’d hoped that after

Savile, after Weinstein that the industry would sort itself out. “It plainly hasn’t. One woman contacted me and said that she complained about a powerful person at the BBC who is harassing three women.

“In the end, the BBC protected that individual and the three women had to leave. She says she thought about throwing herself under a bus. She’s sorted herself out now. She’s fine. She’s happy. But I’ve had similar stories from ITV, from indies, from across this industry. It’s much wider than just Russell Brand.”

The Times say it is investigating fresh allegations against Russell Brand

08:01 , Holly Evans

More women have come forward with allegations against Russell Brand, The Times have said.

The newspaper, one of the two media outlets that published the original allegations against him, said they had been approached by a number of women since Saturday.

They said the claims had not yet been investigated but “will now be rigorously checked”.

They did not provide any further details, other than that they related to Brand’s behaviour since the “early 2000s”.

Brand has denied the allegations and said his relationships were “absolutely always consensual”.

Caroline Nokes: Russell Brand allegations are 'shocking and criminal'

07:28 , Holly Evans

The head of parliament’s women and equalities committee has described the allegations against Russell Brand as “shocking and criminal”.

Caroline Nokes urged victims of the star to file complaints with the Metropolitan Police and authorities in the US, “because this merits and needs a criminal investigation”.

Ms Nokes told the BBC: “For too long we have seen men, and the perpetrators of these sorts of crimes are almost invariably men, not being held to account for their behaviours and their actions.”

As well as questions around “who knew what and when”, Ms Nokes called for broadcasters and production companies who worked with Mr Brand to examine what channels were available for those working with the star to raise complaints.

“And frankly, where were his colleagues, where were his male colleagues when he was conducting himself in this absolutely abhorrent way?” she said.

Russell Brand dropped by agent following sexual assault allegations: ‘We now believe we were horribly misled’

07:03 , Holly Bancroft

In case you missed it...

Russell Brand has been dropped by his agent Tavistock Wood after being accused of rape and sexual assault by four women.

In a joint investigation released by The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4 on Saturday (16 September), the comedian and actor has been accused of sexually assaulting four women between 2006 and 2013. Others have accused Brand of predatory and abusive behaviour.

Brand has vehemently denied the allegations, insisting that his prior relationships have been “absolutely always consensual”.

Russell Brand dropped by agent following sexual assault allegations

Voices: I’m a female comedian – the Russell Brand allegations are only the start

06:45 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Women in comedy work hard to keep themselves and each other safe from problematic male colleagues, writes comedian Vix Leyton.

Will the allegations against Russell Brand ignite the change the industry needs?

“It serves more as a depressing indictment of how, despite all the talk about time being up, a lot of people didn’t want to believe women – particularly when they’re accusing people they admire – and only started listening when a man spoke about it. The risk for Daniel Sloss is a lot lower than the women who came forward on Channel 4, and for the incredible female journalists who worked doggedly to get this piece over the line.

“It is a horrible time to be a woman in comedy at the moment, and the depressing part is that when the furore over this specific incident has died down, we know that very little will have changed.”

Read the full piece here:

I’m a female comedian – the Russell Brand allegations are only the start | Vix Leyton

Who is Laura Gallacher, Russell Brand’s wife of six years?

06:20 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Russell Brand’s personal life was once the subject of regular media headlines, surrounded by scandal and controversy due to his very public antics.

In recent years, however, Brand, 44, appears to have made efforts to keep his home life out of the spotlight, following a tumultuous marriage and subsequent divorce from pop star Katy Perry.

While the comedian, actor and presenter is back in the headlines as he denies what he calls “very serious criminal allegations” that have been made against him, little is known about his wife of six years, Laura Gallacher.

The couple have three children together and dated briefly before Brand’s first marriage to Perry in 2010, while he was still growing his comedy career. They then reconnected after splitting from their respective partners.

Gallacher’s father is Scottish golfer Bernard Gallacher OBE, formerly a Ryder Cup captain for several European teams. Growing up in Surrey, England, she was raised on the Wentworth Estate, a sprawling estate in Runnymede comprising several luxury houses.

Who is Laura Gallacher, Russell Brand’s wife of six years?

Rhian Sugden claims ex Russell Brand joined No More Page 3 campaign after ‘getting declined’ by models

06:07 , Holly Bancroft

Former Page 3 model Rhian Sugden has spoken out about her brief relationship with Russell Brand, after the comedian was accused of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse.

On Saturday night, Sugden tweeted about her own experiences with Brand. The 37-year-old claimed that Brand had joined the No More Page 3 campaign to remove topless models from the third page of The Sun newspaper after “attempting to sh** his way through other Page 3 girls and getting declined”.

Rhian Sugden claims Brand joined No More Page 3 fight after models turned him down

Voices: Why I’m not surprised by the Russell Brand allegations

06:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar

“Unless you’ve been living under a rock, by now you’ll have heard about the latest ‘bombshell’ MeToo revelations targeting none other than self-confessed former ‘lothario’ and sex addict Russell Brand.

“You’ll likely have watched them, too: Channel 4 Dispatches released their “special investigation” containing a whole host of damning allegations about Brand on Saturday night, as part of a joint investigation with the Sunday Times. It included allegations of rape, sexual assault and abuse. Brand denies the accusations. For serious allegations to come out about a well-known male comedian – it’s big. It’s shocking. But surprising? Not so much.”

Read the full piece by Victoria Richards here:

Russell Brand: Why I’m not surprised | Victoria Richards

Probe to find ‘if a blind eye was turned to Brand’ by TV bosses

05:45 , Maroosha Muzaffar

TV bosses have launched an investigation into allegations of rape and sexual assault by British comedian Russell Brand.

Both BBC and Channel 4 are looking into his alleged behaviour and whether the heads of the channels knew about it.

The Mirror quoted an unidentified source as saying that the reviews will aim to investigate “if a blind eye was turned to” any claims.

Brand has denied any wrongdoing.

The source was quoted as saying: “The reviews will look at what concerns were raised at the time, and crucially if they were acted on. There is more than a whiff of panic among certain quarters about what the probe could uncover, and if a blind eye was turned to aspects of Russell Brand’s behaviour.”

In a new statement, a BBC spokesman said: “The documentary and associated reports contained serious allegations, spanning a number of years.

“Russell Brand worked on BBC radio programmes between 2006 and 2008 and we are urgently looking into the issues raised.”

Cleverly says ‘we have got to be better’ after Brand allegations surface

05:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar

In the wake of sexual assault allegations against Russell Brand, foreign secretary James Cleverly said: “I think we have to be particularly careful when we listen to the voices of the people who are relatively powerless.”

He told the BBC: “I think there are some real challenges where you have these very, very acute differentials in power, whether that be in the entertainment industry, whether that be in politics and we see this in the commercial world as well.“I think we have to be particularly careful when we listen to the voices of the people who are relatively powerless because we, I think, collectively have missed opportunities to do the right thing and intervene much, much earlier, and we’ve got to be better at this.”

It comes as TV bosses have launched investigations into the allegations of rape, sexual assault and controlling behaviour by Brand.

Both the BBC and Channel 4 said they were looking into his alleged behaviour and whether the heads of the channels knew about it.

Brand has denied any wrongdoing.

Tucker Carlson shows support for Brand on X

05:20 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Tucker Carlson backed Russell Brand on social media after the British comedian posted a video refuting all allegations of rape and sexual assault that have been levelled at him.

Mr Carlson wrote on X/Twitter: “Criticize the drug companies, question the war in Ukraine, and you can be pretty sure this is going to happen.”

In the video, Brand claimed that all his “relationships I had were absolutely, always consensual”.

He added: “I was always transparent about that then, almost too transparent, and I am being transparent about it now as well.”

Meanwhile, Channel 4 has removed all programmes linked to Brand from its online repository. And Netflix is under pressure to follow suit.

Icymi: Russell Brand’s explosive row with Rod Stewart over daughter Kimberley resurfaces amid rape allegations

05:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Years before disturbing allegations emerged against Russell Brand, the comedian became embroiled in a high-profile row with legendary musician Rod Stewart.

Brand, 48, has been accused of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse by four women. He has strongly denied all the “very serious allegations” made against him, insisting that his relationships have been “absolutely always consensual”.

The claims appeared in a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches, and date back to the period between 2006 and 2013.

The Independent has contacted Brand’s representatives for further comment.

At the GQ Man of the Year Awards in 2006, Brand incurred the ire of Stewart, 78, after making a crude remark about the singer’s daughter Kimberley.

While accepting the Most Stylish award during the ceremony, Brand made a jibe at Stewart, who was in the audience.

“Here’s to Rod Stewart who had a go at me earlier this year for too much womanising,” he said. “But then again I did have a go on his daughter.”

When Stewart was then invited on stage to accept his Outstanding Achiever award in recognition of his career in music, he didn’t hold back in voicing his disapproval of Brand.

“You went with my daughter, did you?” he said to Brand, before telling him to “stand up”.

An apparently chastened Brand then told the singer that he “took her out for one evening”, prompting Stewart to ask: “Did you behave yourself?”

Brand backtracked on his original remarks, telling Stewart: “I never touched that girl.”

“F***ing right, you didn’t,” Stewart replied, adding: “You mustn’t come up here and boast. I speak here as a father.”

Russell Brand rowed with Rod Stewart after crude remark about daughter

‘Urgent’ investigations launched after claims of misconduct by Russell Brand

04:45 , Maroosha Muzaffar

The BBC, Channel 4 and a production company have said they are “urgently” investigating after four women made separate allegations of sexual assault while Russell Brand was a presenter on their programmes.

The comedian and actor, 48, has been accused of rape and sexual assaults between 2006 and 2013, when he was at the height of his fame and working for the BBC, Channel 4 and starring in Hollywood films.

The claims were made in a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches, and include allegations about Brand’s controlling, abusive and predatory behaviour.

Brand vehemently denies the allegations and said all of his relationships have been “consensual”, in a video posted online.

The BBC said it is “urgently looking into the issues raised” while Brand worked on BBC radio programmes between 2006 and 2008, while Channel 4 announced it is conducting “its own internal investigation” following the allegations.

Elon Musk and Andrew Tate come out in support of Russell Brand

04:20 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Elon Musk and Andrew Tate came out in support of Russell Brand after he was accused of rape, sexual assault and emotionally abusing four women.

Responding to a video posted by Brand on X/Twitter in which he claimed that he was being targeted as part of a coordinated attack for his right-wing criticism of the media, Musk wrote: “Of course. They don’t like competition.”

Andrew Tate, a far-right influencer who faces rape and human trafficking charges in Romania, also responded on X. In a post, Tate wrote: “Welcome to the club.”

Brand, in his video, said: “Amidst this litany of astonishing, rather baroque attacks are some very serious allegations that I absolutely refute.”

From the Sachsgate scandal to conspiracy controversies: A timeline of Russell Brand’s life and career

04:01 , Holly Bancroft

Below, you’ll find a timeline of Brand’s career and controversies, from his early days as a comedian through to today.

Russell Brand career timeline, from controversy to conspiracy theories

Channel 4 removes all programmes linked to Brand

03:55 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Channel 4 has removed all programmes linked to Russell Brand from its website after the explosive allegations surfaced.

The Telegraph reported that Netflix has also been under pressure to remove all programmes linked to him.

On Sunday, Channel 4 confirmed that episodes of The Great British Bake Off and Big Brother’s Big Mouth box sets featuring Brand have been dropped from its online platform.

Channel 4’s Dispatches programme was involved in the investigation of the Brand allegations, alongside the Times and Sunday Times.

Brand has denied all wrongdoing.

A channel spokesman said: “We’ve taken down all content featuring Russell Brand while we look into the matter. This includes episodes of the Great British Bake Off and the Big Brother box sets that he appeared on.”

Icymi: Russell Brand comments on Dispatches investigation during live show

03:08 , Holly Bancroft

Russell Brand told audience members there were things he could not discuss as he performed a comedy gig to thousands of people hours after allegations of rape, sexual assault and coercive behaviour against him were published.

Four women have alleged sexual assaults between 2006 and 2013, when Brand was at the height of his fame, in a joint investigation by The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches. He denies all allegations.

The 48-year-old arrived late to his show, Bipolarisation, at the Troubadour Wembley Park theatre in north-west London on Saturday evening.

Russell Brand plays show to thousands in London despite sexual assault claims

Icymi: Women’s charity cuts ties with Russell Brand after allegations of rape and abuse

02:05 , Holly Bancroft

A charity that aims to end violence against women has cut ties with supporter Russell Brand after he was accused of rape, sexual assaults and emotional abuse during a seven-year period at the height of his fame.

Four women have alleged sexual assaults occurred between 2006 and 2013, when Brand was working for BBC Radio 2 and Channel 4 as well as starring in Hollywood films.

The 48-year-old actor and comedian is also facing claims of controlling, abusive and predatory behaviour, following a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches.

Brand vehemently denies the allegations and, in a video posted online, stated all of his relationships have been “consensual”, before accusing the media of a “co-ordinated attack”.

Read more here:

Women’s charity cuts ties with Russell Brand after allegations of rape and abuse

Daniel Sloss routine about men and sexual assault resurfaces after Russell Brand documentary

01:06 , Holly Bancroft

A routine by stand-up comic Daniel Sloss has resurfaced after he was the “only comedian” to go on the record and speak about Russell Brand.

On Saturday (16 September), actor Brand was accused of sexually assaulting four women between 2006 and 2013. The allegations were made in a joint investigation by The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches.

Read more here

Daniel Sloss routine about sexual assault resurfaces after Russell Brand documentary

Russell Brand’s former PA recalls he was ‘always in his underwear’ around her

Monday 18 September 2023 00:09 , Holly Bancroft

Russell Brand‘s former personal assistant has claimed that he “always only wore his underwear” around her.

Helen Berger, who worked for the comedian in 2006, told Channel 4‘s Dispatches that Brand’s “favourite subject was him.”

Russell Brand’s former PA recalls he was ‘always in his underwear’ around her

Russell Brand ended marriage to Katy Perry over text 14 months after lavish wedding

Sunday 17 September 2023 23:03 , Holly Bancroft

Katy Perry’s short-lived relationship with Russell Brand prompted a slew of headlines when the seemingly unlikely couple were first linked back in 2009 – and even more when they broke up just 14 months after their wedding.

Perry, 38, has not addressed the allegations against her former husband. However, she has spoken in the past about the circumstances surrounding her split from Brand, and previously revealed that he called time on their relationship over text.

“He’s a very smart man, and I was in love with him when I married him,” Perry told Vogue in 2013. “Let’s just say I haven’t heard from him since he texted me saying he was divorcing me December 31, 2011.”

Russell Brand ended marriage to Katy Perry with a text message

Resurfaced footage shows moment Katy Perry found out Russell Brand dumped her

Sunday 17 September 2023 22:56 , Holly Bancroft

Why I’m not surprised by the Russell Brand allegations

Sunday 17 September 2023 22:00 , Holly Evans

“Unless you’ve been living under a rock, by now you’ll have heard about the latest “bombshell” MeToo revelations targeting none other than self-confessed former “lothario” and sex addict Russell Brand.

You’ll likely have watched them, too: Channel 4 Dispatches released their “special investigation” containing a whole host of damning allegations about Brand on Saturday night, as part of a joint investigation with the Sunday Times.

It included allegations of rape, sexual assault and abuse. Brand denies the accusations. For serious allegations to come out about a well-known male comedian – it’s big. It’s shocking. But surprising? Not so much.

Read more from Victoria Richards here

Russell Brand: Why I’m not surprised | Victoria Richards

Russell Brand’s explosive row with Rod Stewart over daughter Kimberley resurfaces amid rape allegations

Sunday 17 September 2023 21:00 , Holly Evans

Years before disturbing allegations emerged against Russell Brand, the comedian became embroiled in a high-profile row with legendary musician Rod Stewart.

At the GQ Man of the Year Awards in 2006, Brand incurred the ire of Stewart, 78, after making a crude remark about the singer’s daughter Kimberley.

Russell Brand rowed with Rod Stewart after crude remark about daughter

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones says Russell Brand is being accused of rape because he’s ‘fighting globalists’

Sunday 17 September 2023 20:37 , Holly Bancroft

Right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones defended Russell Brand from rape and sexual assault allegations — by saying the comedian is being targeted because he’s “come out against globalists”.

Jones said he’s been friends with Brand for six years in a video recorded at an airport and circulated on social media on Sunday, a day after stunning allegations emerged against Brand.

“I’ve never seen women throw themselves at anyone like with him,” Jones said, comparing women throwing their “panties” at Elvis.

“It’s like that,” he said, adding that it was “literally women jumping at us.”

“No one ever accused him, for the last 15 years, of assault because they say he’s such a big sweetheart.”

Jones claimed - without any evidence - that “suddenly allegations are happening” to Brand because he has “come out against Big Pharma” and “the globalists”.

Read the full story here:

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones defends Russell Brand from rape claims

Woman who claims she was raped by Brand sent him a letter after alleged attack

Sunday 17 September 2023 20:02 , Holly Bancroft

The woman who claims she was raped by Russell Brand sent him a letter after her alleged attack, according to a new report in The Times.

In an extract, shared in the newspaper, she wrote: “I’m completely disgusted in the way you treated me. Sad that I trusted you. Very angry with you and myself for getting sucked into your narcissistic world. Do you know what you put me through? My body through?”

She continued: “Why didn’t you stop when I asked you to?.. You completely broke me down. I was having fun hanging out with you, but you mistook that trust and turned it into something so ugly. No means no.”

Following the alleged assault, the woman went with a friend to UCLA Santa Monic Medical Centre’s Rape Treatment Center where she says she provided her underwear and other samples as evidence.

Russell Brand has denied that any sexual relations he has had with women were nonconsensual.

‘It’s time’: Woman who accuses Brand of rape says she is strong enough to talk now

Sunday 17 September 2023 18:59 , Holly Bancroft

A woman, who has alleged that she was raped by Russell Brand at his home in Los Angeles, told The Times she has come forward because: “I’m stronger now, to talk about it.”

The woman said at the time of the alleged attack in 2012 she didn’t feel she could publicly challenge him. She told the paper: “Whereas at the time, I was so depleted of everything that I thought I was worth nothing. And that is not true. I am a stronger woman because of it.”

Brand has denied all the allegations against him and said that all his past relationships were consensual.

Dannii Minogue labelled Brand a ‘vile predator’ in resurfaced interview

Sunday 17 September 2023 18:25 , Holly Evans

Australian singer Dannii Minogue once called Russell Brand as a “vile predator” following an appearance on his MTV chatshow, 1 Leicester Square back in 2006.

“He is completely crazy and a bit of a vile predator,” she said. “I certainly don’t think he has cured his sex addiction, that’s for sure. He wouldn’t take no for an answer. [...] He always goes that step too far. Never quite far enough to slap his face, but usually too far.

“He’s obviously very intelligent - but he wears more make-up than I do. Normally I love guys with eyeliner on. It can be very sexy, but not on Russell. Absolutely no way, never, he’s just not my type.”

She continued: “I was told he got sacked from MTV in the past for wearing an Osama bin Laden costume to work the day after September 11. I couldn’t believe that I’d just agreed to be interviewed by someone who would do something like that, it really unnerved me. And then throughout the whole interview, he kept making shocking remarks that I can’t even repeat. Just uttering the words would make me blush.”

Katy Perry revealed Brand was ‘very controlling’ during 2013 interview

Sunday 17 September 2023 18:21 , Holly Evans

“He’s a very smart man, and I was in love with him when I married him,” Perry told Vogue in 2013. “Let’s just say I haven’t heard from him since he texted me saying he was divorcing me December 31, 2011.”

She added that had found Brand’s humour “hysterical in some ways”, until “he started making jokes about me and he didn’t know I was in the audience, because I had come to surprise him at one of his shows”.

“At first when I met him he wanted an equal, and I think a lot of times strong men do want an equal, but then they get that equal and they’re like, I can’t handle the equalness,” she continued. “He didn’t like the atmosphere of me being the boss on tour. So that was really hurtful, and it was very controlling, which was upsetting.

“I felt a lot of responsibility for it ending, but then I found out the real truth, which I can’t necessarily disclose because I keep it locked in my safe for a rainy day. I let go and I was like: This isn’t because of me; this is beyond me. So I have moved on from that.”

Trainspotting writer Irvine Welsh reacts to ‘shocking’ Russell Brand allegations

Sunday 17 September 2023 18:00 , Holly Evans

Trainspotting writer Irvine Welsh reacts to ‘shocking’ Russell Brand allegations

Russell Brand: In Plain Sight review – Dispatches film adds new, sinister dimensions to already harrowing claims

Sunday 17 September 2023 17:34 , Holly Evans

“Don’t be afraid of your own sexuality,” Russell Brand says in a chat show clip dating back to the height of his fame in the mid-Noughties. The comedian, his hair backcombed into his then-signature birds’ nest, takes a pause, before adding a caveat in a slightly more hushed register. “Do be a bit afraid of mine though.”

It’s just one of many such scenes, painstakingly unearthed by the producers of Dispatches’ Russell Brand: In Plain Sight, which have acquired a sinister layer of meaning in the wake of disturbing allegations levelled against the 48-year-old, in Channel 4’s documentary and an investigation by The Sunday Times and The Times.

Read the full review here

Russell Brand: In Plain Sight adds new, sinister layers to already harrowing claims

Russell Brand tells show audience members ‘there are things he cannot discuss’

Sunday 17 September 2023 17:00 , Holly Evans

Russell Brand told audience members there were things he could not discuss as he performed a comedy gig to thousands of people hours after allegations of rape, sexual assault and coercive behaviour against him were published.

Four women have alleged sexual assaults between 2006 and 2013, when Brand was at the height of his fame, in a joint investigation by The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches. He denies all allegations.

The 48-year-old arrived late to his show, Bipolarisation, at the Troubadour Wembley Park theatre in north-west London on Saturday evening.

Read more here

Russell Brand plays show to thousands in London despite sexual assault claims

Channel 4 conducting internal investigation

Sunday 17 September 2023 16:57 , Holly Evans

Channel 4 has said it is conducting its own internal investigation following allegations about Russell Brand.

In a statement, the broadcaster said: “We have asked the production company who produced the programmes for Channel 4 to investigate these allegations and report their findings properly and satisfactorily to us.“

“Channel 4 is also conducting its own internal investigation, and we would encourage anyone who is aware of such behaviour to contact us directly.”

The statement added: “We will be writing to all our current suppliers reminding them of their responsibilities under our Code of Conduct, as we are committed to ensuring our industry has safe, inclusive and professional working environments.”

Met Police to speak to Sunday Times and Channel 4 about Brand allegations

Sunday 17 September 2023 16:50 , Holly Evans

The Metropolitan Police has said it will speak to the Sunday Times and Channel 4 after their investigation about Russell Brand.

The force said in a statement: “We are aware of media reporting of a series of allegations of sexual assault. At this time, we have not received any reports in relation to this.

“If anyone believes they have been the victim of a sexual assault, no matter how long ago it happened, we would encourage them to contact police.

“We spoke with the Sunday Times on Saturday, September 16. We will be making further approaches to the Sunday Times and Channel 4 to ensure that any victims of crime who they have spoken with are aware of how they may report any criminal allegations to police.”

BBC ‘urgently looking’ into allegations made about former presenter

Sunday 17 September 2023 16:06 , Holly Evans

A BBC spokesperson said: “The documentary and associated reports contained serious allegations, spanning a number of years. Russell Brand worked on BBC radio programmes between 2006 and 2008 and we are urgently looking into the issues raised.”

Amnesty International encourages women to come forward

Sunday 17 September 2023 16:05 , Holly Evans

In a statement, Amnesty International said it found the allegations “shocking and distressing” and that it did not have a relationship with the comedian. Brand took part in the charity’s Secret Policeman’s Ball event in 2012 and 2006.

The charity said that while “no complaints or concerns” were raised at the time of the events in relation to his conduct, it was “very aware of the barriers women face in raising complaints of sexual assault, and would encourage any women to let us know if there is anything that they experienced at that time that is of concern”.

Production company launches inquiry over allegations Russell Brand ‘used staff as pimps’

Sunday 17 September 2023 15:43 , Holly Evans

The production company behind a TV show fronted by Russell Brand has launched an urgent investigation after staff claimed they were made feel like “pimps” for the comedian.

The probe by Banijay UK comes after the former presenter and actor was accused of rape, sexual assault and the emotional abuse of four women during the height of his fame between 2006 and 2013.

The 48-year-old has vehemently denied the “very serious criminal allegations” uncovered in a joint investigation by The Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches programme.

Read the full story here

Production company launches inquiry over claims Russell Brand ‘used staff as pimps’

I’m a female comedian – the Russell Brand allegations are only the start

Sunday 17 September 2023 15:22 , Holly Evans

It felt inevitable, to be honest. Women in comedy were all braced for it. Within minutes of the Russell Brand allegations being made public – allegations Brand has denied in no uncertain terms – people swept in to criticise everyone who was aware of the rumours around him and “did nothing”.

Responsibility was placed on us, those who were quietly protecting each other but were deemed to have not taken enough action to prevent this kind of alleged behaviour.

And my God, we are so tired.

Comedian Vix Leyton has more

I’m a female comedian – the Russell Brand allegations are only the start | Vix Leyton

Senior MPs call for BBC and Channel 4 investigations

Sunday 17 September 2023 15:13 , Holly Evans

The former Tory justice secretary Robert Buckland has called for the BBC and Channel 4 to investigate allegations about Mr Brand’s behaviour.

“They should look back [if any red flags were raised]. BBC and Channel 4 will have to ask themselves questions, and look at whether a culture of alleged behaviour was allowed to continue,” he told The Independent.

The senior Tory added: “It has to be handled properly, because you can’t ignore it. The BBC cannot be seen to be indecisive on something as serious as this alleged behaviour.”

Rosie Duffield, the Labour MP for Canterbury, also said the BBC and Channel 4 should now investigate exactly what they knew about Mr Brand.

“The BBC and Channel 4 certainly have questions to answer,” she said. The senior backbencher told The Independent that it was also a “good idea” for the culture select committee to probe TV execs about whether any red flags were raised.

Damian Collins, former culture minister and ex-culture committee chair, said the allegations against Mr Brand about his time at BBC Radio and Channel 4 programmes should be “investigated fully”.

“UK broadcasters who have previously worked with Russell Brand should also be clear about whether they have ever received any similar allegations of personal misconduct that were made against him and if so how they were investigated and the action taken,” he told The Telegraph.

Bannijay UK launches urgent internal investigation

Sunday 17 September 2023 14:00 , Holly Evans

A spokesperson for production company Bannijay UK, which bought Endomol in 2020, told The Sun: “In light of the very serious allegations ... relating to the alleged serious misconduct of Russell Brand produced by Endomol between 2004 and 2005 Bannijay UK has launched an urgent internal investigation.

“We also ask anyone who feels that they were affected by Brand’s behaviour while working on these productions to contact us in confidence.”

Endomol was the company producing Brand’s show Big Brother’s Big Forum on behalf of Channel 4 during the mid-2000s.

Russell Brand dropped by agent following sexual assault allegations

Sunday 17 September 2023 13:41 , Holly Evans

Russell Brand has been dropped by his agent Tavistock Wood after being accused of rape and sexual assault by four women.

In a joint investigation released by The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4 on Saturday (16 September), the comedian and actor has been accused of sexually assaulting four women between 2006 and 2013. Others have accused Brand of predatory and abusive behaviour.

Brand has vehemently denied the allegations, insisting that his prior relationships have been “absolutely always consensual”.

Read more here

Russell Brand dropped by agent following sexual assault allegations

Rhian Sugden claims ex Russell Brand joined No More Page 3 campaign after ‘getting declined’ by models

Sunday 17 September 2023 13:30 , Holly Evans

Former Page 3 model Rhian Sugden has spoken out about her brief relationship with Russell Brand, after the comedian was accused of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse.

The allegations against Brand were made by four women in a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches. They date back to the height of the British presenter’s fame, between 2006 and 2013.

Brand, 48, has strongly denied all the “very serious allegations” against him, insisting that his past relationships have been “absolutely always consensual”.

Rhian Sugden claims Brand joined No More Page 3 fight after models turned him down

Russell Brand ended marriage to Katy Perry over text 14 months after lavish wedding

Sunday 17 September 2023 12:30 , Holly Evans

Katy Perry’s short-lived relationship with Russell Brand prompted a slew of headlines when the seemingly unlikely couple were first linked back in 2009 – and even more when they broke up just 14 months after their wedding.

The British comedian, 48, has now been accused of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse during the height of his fame by four women. The claims were made in a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches.

Read more here

Russell Brand ended marriage to Katy Perry with a text message

What are the allegations against Russell Brand?

Sunday 17 September 2023 12:00 , Holly Evans

Russell Brand has been accused of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse by four women in an investigation that sheds light on the comedian’s behaviour during the height of his fame.

The comedian and media personality has denied all the “very serious allegations” aimed at him, which date back to between 2006 and 2013.

Brand performed to a 2,000-strong crowd on Saturday night in Wembley Park Theatre – but did not directly address the allegations made as part of an investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches programme.

Here is a full timeline of the allegations against him:

What are the allegations against Russell Brand?

Brand told audience he ‘absolutely cannot talk’ about allegations

Sunday 17 September 2023 11:29 , Holly Evans

During a performance of his stand-up comedy show last night, Brand told the audience “I appreciate you” after arriving 45 minutes late.

The comedian performed at Wembley Park Theatre while the Channel 4 Dispatches documentary was being aired.

After asking the audience not to film, he said: “I really appreciate your support, I love you, I want to do a fantastic show for you.

“I’ve got a lot of things to talk to you about. There are obviously some things that I absolutely cannot talk about and I appreciate that you will understand.

“I love you lot already. I’m going to give you everything I’ve got, let’s go.”

‘I want to see your mascara run’: Woman claims Russell Brand sexually assaulted her at 16

Sunday 17 September 2023 10:58 , Holly Evans

‘I want to see your mascara run’: Woman claims Russell Brand assaulted her at 16

‘Wider questions’ for TV industry after Russell Brand rape allegation, says Tory minister

Sunday 17 September 2023 10:38 , Holly Evans

Cabinet minister James Cleverly said there are questions for the TV industry to answer after Russell Brand faced allegations of rape and sexual assault, which the comedian vehemently denies.

Four women have alleged sexual assaults between 2006 and 2013, when Mr Brand was working for the BBC Radio and Channel 4.

Mr Cleverly told BBC One’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that he thought “sadly” there were wider questions to answer for the entertainment industry in the wake of the claims.

Adam Forrest has more

‘Wider questions’ for TV industry after Russell Brand allegations, says Tory minister

Women's violence charity cuts ties with Brand

Sunday 17 September 2023 10:21 , Holly Evans

A charity supporting women and mothers struggling with substance abuse and addiction have cut ties with comedian Russell Brand.

Trevi Women said they were “deeply saddened” by the allegations and had ended their association with Brand and his Stay Free Foundation.

In a full statement, they said: “We are deeply saddened and upset by the stories reported on this evening’s Channel 4 Dispatches programme regarding Russell Brand.

“Russell became aware of our charity in 2022 after hearing about some of the incredible mothers we have helped to become drug-free over the years. He wanted to support our cause and raise money through his Stay Free Foundation.

“Today’s media revelations have been difficult to process but our priority remains and continues to be the safety and well-being of all women and girls now and in the future. We have ended our association with Russell Brand and the Stay Free Foundation.

“As a charity whose values put women’s voices at the heart of what we do, we always prioritise supporting women affected by violence and abuse and empower them to live without violence and fear. We understand that for some women, today’s media content could be triggering, and for those who may need support, please contact The Survivor Pathway.”

Cleverly suggests wider questions for entertainment industry after Brand allegations

Sunday 17 September 2023 10:09 , Holly Evans

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has suggested there are wider questions for the entertainment industry to answer after Russell Brand faced allegations about his conduct, which the comedian and actor vehemently denies.

Mr Cleverly told BBC One’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: “I think there are some real challenges where you have these very, very acute differentials in power, whether that be in the entertainment industry, whether that be in politics and we see this in the commercial world as well.

“I think we have to be particularly careful when we listen to the voices of the people who are relatively powerless because we, I think, collectively have missed opportunities to do the right thing and intervene much, much earlier, and we’ve got to be better at this.”

Pressed on whether there are questions for the industry, Mr Cleverly replied: “Sadly, I think there are.”

Foreign secretary warns of ‘very significant power differentials’

Sunday 17 September 2023 09:54 , Holly Evans

James Cleverly has spoken of the dangers of “sharp differentials in power” after Russell Brand was accused of rape, sexual assaults and emotional abuse.

The Foreign Secretary did not comment specifically on the allegations, which Brand denies.

He told the Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips programme on Sky News that he believed there was a “particular problem, where you have environments where there are very, very sharp differentials in power”.

He said: “We see that in the film industry, the entertainment industry and sadly, of course, we sit in the area that I work in terms of politics, where you have very, very significant power differentials, long working hours, people in that environment.

“Now, that is absolutely no excuse for individual misconduct and people have to take responsibility for their own conduct.

“In those environments, I think institutionally we need to be particularly vigilant. We need to make sure that we are going out of our way to protect the people that have less power than those around them. We need to respond to their concerns very, very quickly when they are highlighted.”

Police urge ‘victims’ to come forward after Russell Brand accused of rape and sexual assault

Sunday 17 September 2023 09:26 , Holly Evans

Police have encouraged any potential victims to come forward after comedian Russell Brand was accused of rape, sexual assaults and emotionally abusing four women.

Scotland Yard said it was “aware of media reporting of a series of allegations of sexual assault”, after the allegations unearthed in a joint investigation by The Times, Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches were published on Saturday.

Read more here

Police urge ‘victims’ to come forward after Russell Brand accused of rape