Russell Brand news – latest: YouTube suspends adverts on comedian’s channel as Katy Perry clips resurface

YouTube has suspended adverts on Russell Brand’s channel in light of a slew of sexual assault and rape allegations made against the comedian, as clips of his former wife Katy Perry have resurfaced.

The platform’s suspension, for “violating its policy”, will still allow Brand to upload videos to his 6.6 million followers, but he will not profit from advertising.

Meanwhile, footage has reemerged showing the moment Brand ended his relationship with US singer Perry by text message in 2011, following their 14-month marriage.

Presenter Vanessa Feltz has also shared “deeply offensive” footage of Brand asking to sleep with her and her daughters when she appeared on his chat show in 2006.

And the late comedian Sean Lock disclosed the reason he hated Brand in a clip from the panel show 8 Out Of 10 Cats in 2014, explaining he had a “fear” his daughters would bring home a man like Brand one day.

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

If you have information in relation to the allegations against Russell Brand which you would like to share with The Independent’s reporting team, please email newsdesk@independent.co.uk

Key Points

• YouTube suspends monetisation of Russell Brand’s channel

• Big Brother co-creator describes Brand allegations as ‘depressing'

• BBC confirms removal of Brand content

• Brand episodes removed from C4 website following allegations

• 'No evidence' to suggest Ch4 bosses knew of Brand's alleged assaults

• Review into Brand’s time at BBC led by director of editorial complaints

‘I’m lucky to be alive’: Andrew Sachs’ granddaughter recalls ‘shame’ after prank call

09:53 , Joe Middleton

Georgina Baillie says she is “lucky to be alive” as she recalled her “shame” in light Sachs-gate and her relationship with Russell Brand.

Ms Baillie’s grandfather Andrew Sachs, was prank-called by Brand in 2008 and told his granddaughter had slept with the comic.

Speaking in an interview with Channel 4, Ms Baillie said: “It was a very very dark time. I was full of shame and self-hatred. Victim blaming was the main consequence. I just fell into a booze and drugs lifestyle. That was pretty dark. I am lucky to be alive, to be honest.”

Brand has been accused of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse in an investigation by The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches. He denies all allegations.

Russell Brand’s Australia gig cancelled as Paramount+, Channel 4 and BBC pull shows

09:15 , Joe Middleton

An appearance from Russell Brand at an Australian festival next year has been cancelled after a number of sexual assault allegations were made against the comedian.

Brand, 48, had been due to take part in The Wanderlust Festival in February 2024. Both the festival and Brand have agreed not to proceed with his shows.

The decision was made after a joint investigation, published over the weekend, by The Sunday Times, The Times, and Channel 4 Dispatches, revealed that four women have made allegations of rape, sexual assault, and emotional abuse against Brand.

His alleged actions took place between 2005 and 2013, during which time Brand acted as a presenter for both BBC Radio 2 and Channel 4. Brand has vehemently denied all claims.

Russell Brand’s Australia gig cancelled as Paramount+, Channel 4 and BBC pull shows

‘I confronted Russell Brand about his behaviour years ago – he had no regrets’

08:56 , Joe Middleton

When she challenged him six years ago about his sexual exploits, Katie Glass found the newly styled guru utterly lacking in self-awareness and contrition. What he told her revealed everything we know about how he sees women – and what is flawed about the age of consent.

‘I confronted Russell Brand about his behaviour years ago – he had no regrets’

Fearne Cotton deletes Russell Brand podcast episodes after ‘unfollowing’ him on Instagram

08:37 , Joe Middleton

Fearne Cotton has appeared to delete two episodes of her podcast featuring Russell Brand.

The comedian, who faces accusations of sexual assault and rape, is married to Cotton’s good friend, Laura Gallacher, and, in August 2019, he was a guest speaker at her wellness festival Happy Place. In a Facebook post, Brand described the festival as the “Woodstock of Wellness”.

One year later, Cotton invited Brand to appear on her podcast, also titled Happy Place, for a second time. He had previously made a brief guest appearance after it was launched in 2018. Both episodes, as highlighted by Metro.co.uk, appear to have been removed and no longer appear on the podcast’s official pages.

Fearne Cotton deletes Russell Brand podcast episodes and ‘unfollows’ him on Instagram

Paramount+ removes Brand comedy show ‘Live in New York City’

08:25 , Joe Middleton

Paramount+ has removed Russell Brand’s comedy show ‘Live in New York City’, following the BBC and Channel 4 also taking down the comedian’s content.

Brand has been accused of rape, assault and emotional abuse between 2006 and 2013, when he was at the height of his fame, following a joint investigation by The Times, Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches.

The BBC and Channel 4 have both launched investigations into the comedian and actor’s time at their channels, along with removing content featuring Brand from their platforms.

And now Paramount+ has taken down his ‘Live in New York City’ show, as reported by MailOnline.

It comes after YouTube suspended adverts on the comedian’s channel. Brand can still upload videos to his 6.6 million followers, but he will not profit from advertising. Brand has denied the allegations.

Channel 4 and BBC bosses to talk at TV event amid Brand allegations

07:51 , Joe Middleton

The bosses of Channel 4 and the BBC are set to speak at a TV industry event amid rape and sexual assault allegations being made against Russell Brand.

Both broadcasters have launched investigations into the comedian and actor’s time at their channels, along with removing content featuring Brand from their platforms.

Brand, who used to present Channel 4’s Big Brother spin-off shows EFourum and Big Brother’s Big Mouth and work on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 6 Music programmes, has strongly denied the allegations.

Chief executive of Channel 4 Alex Mahon and BBC director-general Tim Davie are scheduled to talk at the Royal Television Society (RTS) Cambridge Convention 2023 on Wednesday in King’s College Cambridge.

Culture, Media and Sport Committee chairwoman Dame Caroline Dinenage wrote to broadcasters on Tuesday, including Channel 4 and the BBC, to request further details on what actions they are taking in response to the allegations.

Brand has been accused of rape, assault and emotional abuse 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, following a joint investigation by The Times, Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches.

Brand has denied the allegations. He has been “promiscuous” but that all of his relationships have been “consensual”.

BBC director general Tim Davie announces review into Russell Brand’s time at corporation

07:31 , Joe Middleton

BBC director general Tim Davie has announced a review into Rusell Brand’s time at the corporation following allegations of rape, sexual assault, and emotional abuse against the comedian. Brand denies all the allegations.

Mr Davie has now announced a review will take place “as swiftly as possible” with results in weeks.

He said: “We will look at any complaints made about Russell Brand’s conduct during his time, what was known at the time and what was done, so full transparency.

“I just want to say one thing because that came up as an allegation, that the review will also look at any cars used by the BBC at that time.”

BBC boss Tim Davie announces review into Russell Brand’s time at corporation

Comment: What’s next for Russell Brand?

07:00 , Sean O'Grady

The decision by YouTube to “demonetise” Russell Brand is a slightly curious one. They certainly hit him where it hurts: in his bank balance. About £1 million a year. Yet they’ve allowed his existing back catalogue of conspiracism and gobbledegook “wellness” material to remain up; and he can knock out as much self-aggrandising nonsense as he wants, provided he doesn’t make any money out of it. I think we know that the first post-demonetisation Brand video of the new era will be like: baroque, you might say.

So, he’s been sort of half-cancelled by YouTube. It’s as if the board and its advisors couldn’t quite decide what to do about him, and they opted for a messy compromise. Like all compromises, however, no one ends up satisfied. The Brand-haters will think YouTube are still offering this despicable misogynist a platform to air his unhinged views and exercise his obscene passion for self-love. Yet the Brand fanbase will conclude that “they” – the world government of fevered imagination – have ordered YouTube to do it.

Read more here:

What’s next for Russell Brand? | Sean O’Grady

First look at Russell Brand’s time at Channel 4 finds no reports to bosses – CEO

06:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar

The boss of Channel 4 says the broadcaster has “carried out extensive document searches and thus far have found no evidence to suggest the alleged incidents” about Russell Brand were reported to management.

The comedian and actor, 48, is facing allegations of rape, emotional abuse and sexual assault.

Channel 4 has launched an investigation into his time at the channel after he was accused of pursuing audience members for sex while presenting the broadcaster’s Big Brother spin-off shows EFourum and Big Brother’s Big Mouth.

Brand has strongly denied the allegations, in a video posted online on Friday, saying he has been “promiscuous” but that all of his relationships have been “consensual”.

Culture, Media and Sport Committee chairwoman Dame Caroline Dinenage wrote to broadcasters on Tuesday, including Channel 4, to request further details on what actions they are taking in response to the allegations.

First look at Russell Brand’s time at Channel 4 finds no reports to bosses – CEO

Recap: Brand episodes removed from C4 website following allegations

06:00 , Tara Cobham

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.

As Channel 4 announced that it had launched its own internal enquiry into the allegations against Brand, content containing Brand was removed from its streaming service (formerly known as All4 and 4OD).

The box set of Big Brother’s Big Mouth, the spin-off show fronted by Brand, has been removed from the platform, Channel 4 confirmed on Sunday (17 September).

Also among the removed content is a 2019 episode of The Great Celebrity Bake Off, which Brand co-starred in alongside John Lithgow, Jon Richardson and Hannah Cockroft. He won his episode.

A Channel 4 spokesperson confirmed: “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.”

YouTube suspends monetisation of Russell Brand’s channel for ‘violating policy’

05:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar

YouTube has suspended the monetisation of Russell Brand’s channel for “violating our Creator Responsibility policy”, the Google-owned company said.

The online video platform said the suspension, which will still allow Brand to upload videos, was because of the allegations made against him.

In a statement, YouTube said: “We have suspended monetisation on Russell Brand’s channel for violating our Creator Responsibility policy. If a creator’s off-platform behaviour harms our users, employees or ecosystem, we take action to protect the community.”

The company said that it had suspended Brand’s channel from the YouTube Partner Program “following serious allegations against the creator. This action means the channel is no longer able to monetise on YouTube”.

The decision applies to all channels that may be owned or operated by the comedian, it added.

The announcement on Tuesday morning comes after the remaining shows on Brand’s Bipolarisation tour were postponed.

YouTube blocks Russell Brand from earning revenue after ‘violating policy’

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

05:00 , Tara Cobham

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 allegations of rape and sexual assault, 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.

Roisin O'Connor reports:

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

Sean Lock said he ‘hates’ Russell Brand and ‘fears’ his daughters ‘will take someone like him home’ in resurfaced clip

04:45 , Maroosha Muzaffar

A clip of the late comedian Sean Lock discussing his contempt for Russell Brand has gone viral in the wake of criminal allegations being made against the 48-year-old comedian.

Last weekend, Brand was the subject of an expose in The Times, The Sunday Times and a Channel 4 Dispatches documentary, featuring allegations of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse from four women.

The alleged crimes took place between 2006 and 2013. Brand has denied all claims.

The clip in question is taken from the Channel 4 comedy panel show 8 Out of 10 Cats, and originally aired in November 2014. In the footage, Lock says that he “hates” Brand because of his role as a father, and “fears” his daughters would “bring someone like that home”.

Lock, who died in 2021 at the age of 58, is seen discussing Brand in the wake of the comedian’s controversial comments about voting. In October 2013, Brand had urged people not to vote during an interview with Newsnight’s Jeremy Paxman.

Sean Lock explains why he ‘hates’ Russell Brand in resurfaced clip

Jimmy Fallon tells off Russell Brand for bouncing Katharine McPhee on his lap in resurfaced clip

04:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Jimmy Fallon can be seen in a newly resurfaced clip scolding Russell Brand for making Katharine McPhee uncomfortable by bouncing her on his lap.

The clip began making the rounds online after a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times, and Channel 4 Dispatches revealed four women have made allegations of rape, sexual assault, and emotional abuse against Brand.

The victims allege that his actions took place between 2006 and 2013 when Brand was a presenter for both BBC Radio 2 and Channel 4. Before the investigation was published, he took to Instagram to disavow and deny the accusations.

In light of the recent allegations against Brand, an old clip resurfaced of the stand-up comic’s 2013 appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in which he tried to flirt with the American Idol alum to the point that she appeared visibly uncomfortable.

In the interview, Brand refused to move out of the interview chair when McPhee - who was married at the time - stepped on stage as the second guest of the night.

Jimmy Fallon tells off Russell Brand for bouncing Katharine McPhee on his lap

Recap: Brand ‘quits two of his businesses’ in wake of allegations

04:00 , Tara Cobham

Russell Brand has reportedly quit two of his businesses in the wake of a number of allegations made against him.

The comedian has held Director roles at both One Arm Bandit Limited and Mayfair Film Partnership Limited for well over a decade.

However, according to Companies House, he resigned from both on Tuesday. Each business now lists a document on his “termination of appointment”.

First look at Brand’s time at C4 finds no reports to bosses, says CEO

03:00 , Tara Cobham

The boss of Channel 4 says the broadcaster has “carried out extensive document searches and thus far have found no evidence to suggest the alleged incidents” about Russell Brand were reported to management.

Channel 4 has launched an investigation into his time at the channel after he was accused of pursuing audience members for sex while presenting the broadcaster’s Big Brother spin-off shows EFourum and Big Brother’s Big Mouth.

Brand has strongly denied the allegations, in a video posted online on Friday, saying he has been “promiscuous” but that all of his relationships have been “consensual”.

Culture, Media and Sport Committee chairwoman Dame Caroline Dinenage wrote to broadcasters on Tuesday, including Channel 4, to request further details on what actions they are taking in response to the allegations.

Dame Caroline asked for the broadcaster to set out the time for completion of the investigation and urged it to “disclose” the information that can be made public.

In a letter to the commons committee on Monday, and published on Tuesday online, Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon said: “Since becoming aware of some of the allegations, just over a week ago, we have carried out extensive document searches and thus far have found no evidence to suggest the alleged incidents were brought to the attention of Channel 4 management at the time.

“We will continue to look at this issue and will forensically examine any further information, including the accounts of those affected.”

Resurfaced clip of Brand asking Kelly Brook to send photos of her at 15

02:00 , Tara Cobham

Brand bounces Katharine McPhee on lap in resurfaced clip

01:00 , Tara Cobham

Jimmy Fallon can be seen in a newly resurfaced clip scolding Russell Brand for making Katharine McPhee uncomfortable by bouncing her on his lap.

The clip began making the rounds onling after a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times, and Channel 4 Dispatches revealed four women have made allegations of rape, sexual assault, and emotional abuse against Brand.

The victims allege that his actions took place between 2006 and 2013 when Brand was a presenter for both BBC Radio 2 and Channel 4. Before the investigation was published, he took to Instagram to disavow and deny the accusations.

Olivia Hebert reports:

Jimmy Fallon tells off Russell Brand for bouncing Katharine McPhee on his lap

Recap: BBC Brand investigation to look into ‘use of cars used by BBC at time’

Wednesday 20 September 2023 00:00 , Tara Cobham

An investigation by the BBC into Russell Brand’s time at the corporation will look into the use of “any cars used by the BBC at that time”, its director general has said.

In a long-arranged Q and A with staff on Tuesday, Tim Davie was quizzed about how the corporation was responding following accusations about Brand’s time at BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 6 Music between 2006 and 2008.

The Times reported on Monday that a woman claims comedian and actor, Brand, used the BBC’s car service to pick her up from school when she was 16 so she could visit his home.

Mr Davie said he hopes a review, led by BBC’s director of editorial complaints Peter Johnston, will give an “initial report in weeks, not months” and added that “the objective is to be totally transparent”.

He also said: “The review will also look at the position regarding any cars used by the BBC at that time – because that was obviously something that, again, in a powerful testimony, was mentioned.”

Comment: Sex with a 16-year-old when you’re 30 is just wrong…

Tuesday 19 September 2023 23:00 , Franki Cookney

The allegations against Russell Brand over the weekend have got people examining the age of consent. Rightly so. That a 30-year-old man would embark on a sexual relationship with a schoolgirl feels instinctively wrong to many of us.

The woman in question, “Alice”, who has said she now feels she was groomed by Brand (though he has denied all of the allegations), has called for consent law to be reviewed in light of her experience. “The law enabled it,” she told reporters for The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches investigation which was published at the weekend, with the documentary airing on Saturday night. “It shouldn’t be legal for a 16-year-old to have a relationship with a man in their thirties.”

Now, most of us are comfortable with the idea that a 16-year-old can consent to sex with another 16-year-old; that two teenagers can have a sexual relationship. But we start to feel iffy when it’s an adult in a sexual relationship with a minor. As the age gap increases, so does our disquiet. That’s not mere hand-wringing or moralising, and it’s not about trying to deny young people their sexuality. It’s because we understand implicitly, even when we can’t articulate it, that an imbalance of power can affect consent.

Read more here:

Sex with a 16-year-old when you’re 30 is just wrong… | Franki Cookney

Watch: Vanessa Feltz shares clip of Brand asking to sleep with her and daughters

Tuesday 19 September 2023 22:00 , Tara Cobham

Recap: Brand episodes removed from C4 website following allegations

Tuesday 19 September 2023 21:50 , Tara Cobham

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.

As Channel 4 announced that it had launched its own internal enquiry into the allegations against Brand, content containing Brand was removed from its streaming service (formerly known as All4 and 4OD).

The box set of Big Brother’s Big Mouth, the spin-off show fronted by Brand, has been removed from the platform, Channel 4 confirmed on Sunday (17 September).

Also among the removed content is a 2019 episode of The Great Celebrity Bake Off, which Brand co-starred in alongside John Lithgow, Jon Richardson and Hannah Cockroft. He won his episode.

A Channel 4 spokesperson confirmed: “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.”

Comment: What I saw at Russell Brand’s ‘sober festival’ shocked me

Tuesday 19 September 2023 21:17 , Adam Bloodworth

When Russell Brand lifted his two daughters, one aged six, the other aged four, onto his lap on stage at his “living and wellness” Community Festival this summer – only to then begin swearing extravagantly in front of them, for the benefit of his adoring audience – an alarm bell rang.

Foul, expletive-filled language might be what Brand’s loyal cohort of followers (he has over six million YouTube subscribers) expect from him, and even delight in. But firing off four-letter words while two very young girls were sitting passively just inches away from their father was more than just performative crassness. It felt to me like the definition of a red line being crossed.

It wasn’t the only time I thought the comedian turned mindfulness guru strongly misread the room at his homespun healing festival, held in July at Hay-on-Wye, at which his wife, Laura, was given equal billing.

Read more here:

What I saw at Russell Brand’s ‘sober festival’ shocked me

Watch: Andrew Sachs’ granddaughter speaks out on Brand rape allegation

Tuesday 19 September 2023 20:30 , Tara Cobham

How does Russell Brand make money online?

Tuesday 19 September 2023 20:00 , Tara Cobham

Despite no longer being a prominent figure in mainstream film, television or radio, Russell Brand has continued to carve out a profitable media career for himself by turning to online platforms and embracing an anti-establishment narrative in order to gain new followers.

Brand’s following sits at 6.6 million subscribers on YouTube, 11.2 million followers on X, formerly known as Twitter, 1.4 million followers on right-wing video platform Rumble, and 3.8 million followers on Instagram.

YouTube is central to Brand’s earning ability, allowing him to get money from the advertising revenue YouTube makes each time someone watches one of his videos and sees the adverts that appear within and alongside them.

One social media expert told The Guardian they estimate Brand is “likely making £2,000 to £4,000 per video”, not including any affiliate deals or brand sponsorships that may also be running in the background.

Martyn Landi reports:

How does Russell Brand make money online?

'No evidence' to suggest Ch4 bosses knew of Brand's alleged assaults

Tuesday 19 September 2023 19:30 , Tara Cobham

The boss of Channel 4 says the broadcaster has “carried out extensive document searches and thus far have found no evidence to suggest the alleged incidents” about Russell Brand were reported to management.

Channel 4 has launched an investigation into his time at the channel after he was accused of pursuing audience members for sex while presenting the broadcaster’s Big Brother spin-off shows EFourum and Big Brother’s Big Mouth.

Brand has strongly denied the allegations, in a video posted online on Friday, saying he has been “promiscuous” but that all of his relationships have been “consensual”.

Culture, Media and Sport Committee chairwoman Dame Caroline Dinenage wrote to broadcasters on Tuesday, including Channel 4, to request further details on what actions they are taking in response to the allegations.

Dame Caroline asked for the broadcaster to set out the time for completion of the investigation and urged it to “disclose” the information that can be made public.

In a letter to the commons committee on Monday, and published on Tuesday online, Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon said: “Since becoming aware of some of the allegations, just over a week ago, we have carried out extensive document searches and thus far have found no evidence to suggest the alleged incidents were brought to the attention of Channel 4 management at the time.

“We will continue to look at this issue and will forensically examine any further information, including the accounts of those affected.”

Brand still has presence on video platform Rumble

Tuesday 19 September 2023 18:55 , Tara Cobham

Russell Brand still has a presence on video platform Rumble, where his channel has 1.4 million followers and he hosts a weekly live show at 5pm BST, but there was no new episode on Monday.

His most recent video on Rumble is the short clip from Friday denying the allegations and saying he has been “promiscuous” but that all of his relationships have been “consensual”.

Big Brother co-creator describes Brand allegations as ‘depressing'

Tuesday 19 September 2023 18:53 , Tara Cobham

One of the co-creators of Big Brother has described the allegations made against Russell Brand as “depressing” as he spoke about the comedian’s “promiscuous” behaviour.

Phil Edgar-Jones - who was previously Creative Director at Remarkable Pictures, which is part of Endemol UK, the company that made Big Brother when the show was on Channel 4 - said of the time he worked with Brand: “There was never any sense that he’d done anything inappropriate that was brought to our attention, certainly. We knew he had a reputation for being promiscuous and everybody knew that at the time, but that was as far as it went and as far as we knew.”

Asked by a Sky News reporter about his thoughts on the allegations, Mr Edgar-Jones, who is now Director of Sky Arts and Head of Entertainment at Sky, responded: “It’s pretty depressing.”

TikTok faces questions over Brand content from Culture Committee chairwoman

Tuesday 19 September 2023 18:25 , Tara Cobham

Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee chairwoman Dame Caroline Dinenage has written to the BBC, Channel 4 and TikTok to request further details on what actions they are taking in response to the allegations made against Russell Brand – and to GB News in relation to their coverage of the claims.

Dame Caroline has asked TikTok’s director of government relations, Theo Bertram, whether Brand could monetise his posts on the video sharing platform, where he has 2.3 million followers.

The committee chairwoman also asked “what the platform is doing to ensure that creators are not able to use the platform to undermine the welfare of victims of inappropriate and potentially illegal behaviour”.

Resurfaced footage shows Brand asking Kelly Brook to send photos of her at 15

Tuesday 19 September 2023 17:55 , Tara Cobham

Adverts turned off on Brand’s podcast, confirms Acast

Tuesday 19 September 2023 17:31 , Tara Cobham

Acast turned off advertisements on Russell Brand’s Under The Skin podcast immediately following news of the recent allegations made against the comedian, the podcast company has confirmed.

A joint investigation between The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches aired on Saturday in which Brand was accused of sexual assault by four women.

Brand has strongly denied the allegations, which also include claims of controlling, abusive and predatory behaviour.

Brand’s history of dating celebrities

Tuesday 19 September 2023 16:53 , Tara Cobham

Russell Brand’s relationships with women have come under the spotlight as the star faces serious allegations of sexual wrongdoing.

The 48-year-old comedian and actor has since been accused of rape, assault and emotional abuse between 2006 and 2013, when he was at the height of his fame working for the BBC, Channel 4 and starring in Hollywood films.

He strongly denies the allegations and insists his relationships have always been consensual.

On Monday evening, one former partner spoke out on the allegations - the granddaughter of the late Fawlty Towers star Andrew Sachs.

Barney Davis reports:

Russell Brand’s history of dating celebrities - and clashing with their loved ones

Brand ‘quits two of his businesses' in wake of allegations

Tuesday 19 September 2023 16:25 , Tara Cobham

Russell Brand has reportedly quit two of his businesses in the wake of a number of allegations made against him.

The comedian has held Director roles at both One Arm Bandit Limited and Mayfair Film Partnership Limited for well over a decade.

However, according to Companies House, he resigned from both on Tuesday. Each business now lists a document on his “termination of appointment”.

BBC director-general says broadcasting industry must be ‘vigilant'

Tuesday 19 September 2023 16:10 , Tara Cobham

BBC director-general Tim Davie has said the broadcasting industry needs to be “very vigilant” following questions being raised about the wider TV industry amid allegations made about Russell Brand.

During a long-arranged session with BBC staff on Tuesday, Mr Davie said: “You look back and this industry has definitely faced significant issues with regard to a deep power imbalance in certain places, between so-called talent, presenters, and others working on shows, there’s no doubt about that.”

He added that BBC’s processes have changed, including on its code of conduct, values and the corporation has a non-negotiable anti-bullying and harassment policy, before also saying: “There is no room for complacency. I do feel we’re in a different place, I’m proud of our culture, but to say that doesn’t mean there aren’t dangers.

“We should all be looking after each other, we should be very vigilant, we should keep improving our processes.”

The BBC has since removed content featuring Brand from BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds platforms.

Mr Davie said: “Lastly, I’d say I do think we’re in a different place, over 15 years. When I listened back, frankly, to some of those broadcasts I think, that is just completely unacceptable. What led to that being on air? I just look at that stuff and I say there is no way I will listen to that, there’s no way I accept it. We have to be clear about that together, that we will not accept that.

BBC Brand investigation ‘looking into use of corporation’s cars'

Tuesday 19 September 2023 15:55 , Tara Cobham

An investigation by the BBC into Russell Brand’s time at the corporation will look into the use of “any cars used by the BBC at that time”, its director general has said.

In a long-arranged Q and A with staff on Tuesday, Tim Davie was quizzed about how the corporation was responding following accusations about Brand’s time at BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 6 Music between 2006 and 2008.

The Times reported on Monday that a woman claims comedian and actor, Brand, used the BBC’s car service to pick her up from school when she was 16 so she could visit his home.

Mr Davie said he hopes a review, led by BBC’s director of editorial complaints Peter Johnston, will give an “initial report in weeks, not months” and added that “the objective is to be totally transparent”.

He also said: “The review will also look at the position regarding any cars used by the BBC at that time – because that was obviously something that, again, in a powerful testimony, was mentioned.”

Brand boasts about ‘planting one’ on Meghan Markle in resurfaced video

Tuesday 19 September 2023 15:35 , Tara Cobham

Russell Branded boasted about “planting one” on Meghan Markle in a movie they appeared in together in a resurfaced clip from 2018.

While on ITV’s Loose Women just days before Meghan’s wedding to Harry, the stand-up comedian recalled what it was like to film 2010’s Get Him To The Greek with the soon-to-be royal.

“Is it true that you’ve snogged Meghan Markle?” one of the co-hosts asked. “As a matter of fact, it is,” Brand replied, much to the audience’s excitement. “But let me say before we get carried away. She was in a film that I was in, Get Him to the Greek, it was a good film.”

At the time, Brand said he had no idea who she was primarily because she “wasn’t married to a royal person.”

Olivia Hebert reports:

Russell Brand boasts about ‘planting one’ on Meghan Markle in resurfaced video

Brand bounces Katharine McPhee on his lap in resurfaced clip

Tuesday 19 September 2023 15:15 , Tara Cobham

Jimmy Fallon can be seen in a newly resurfaced clip scolding Russell Brand for making Katharine McPhee uncomfortable by bouncing her on his lap.

The clip began making the rounds online after a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times, and Channel 4 Dispatches revealed four women have made allegations of rape, sexual assault, and emotional abuse against Brand.

The victims allege that his actions took place between 2006 and 2013 when Brand was a presenter for both BBC Radio 2 and Channel 4. Before the investigation was published, he took to Instagram to disavow and deny the accusations.

In light of the recent allegations against Brand, an old clip resurfaced of the stand-up comic’s 2013 appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in which he tried to flirt with the American Idol alum to the point that she appeared visibly uncomfortable.

Olivia Hebert reports:

Jimmy Fallon tells off Russell Brand for bouncing Katharine McPhee on his lap

Nadine Dorries says Brand’s wife should ‘cut him dead forever’

Tuesday 19 September 2023 15:00 , Tara Cobham

Nadine Dorries has said Russell Brand’s wife should “cut him dead for ever” in light of a slew of allegations that have been made against the comedian.

The former Culture Secretary shared her thoughts in her MailOnline column on Monday, focusing on Mr Brand’s pregnant wife Laura Brand and their two daughters.

She said that Ms Brand “must be facing a terrible dilemma” over whether or not to leave Brand and wrote: “Now, as this ugly saga continues to unfold and more allegations about Brand's historic behaviour continue to surface, I can't help but feel for her. How long can she wear this mask of wifely stoicism while she watches her world disintegrate around her?”

Ms Dorries concluded: “When Laura's daughters are old enough to understand the vile accusations against their father, will they understand her decision to stand by him? I hope she has her explanation ready. If not, she should do what I would in her shoes - and cut him dead for ever.”

Review into Brand’s time at BBC led by director of editorial complaints

Tuesday 19 September 2023 14:45 , Tara Cobham

The BBC’s director of editorial complaints Peter Johnston has been appointed to lead the review into Russell Brand’s time at the corporation, according to BBC News.

The review is said to look “at any complaints against Brand, what was known, and what was done”.

Following the initial claims, 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.”

On Monday, The Times reported that a woman claims Brand used the BBC’s car service to pick her up from school when she was 16 so she could visit his home.

The broadcaster hopes to release an interim update on the review “within weeks”, BBC News added.

Watch: Resurfaced footage shows Katy Perry finding out Brand dumped her

Tuesday 19 September 2023 14:30 , Tara Cobham

YouTube blocks Brand from earning revenue after ‘violating policy’

Tuesday 19 September 2023 14:16 , Tara Cobham

YouTube has blocked Russell Brand from making money from his channel in light of the allegations of sexual assault against him.

The suspension, for “violating its policy”, will still allow Brand to upload videos to his 6.6 million followers, but he will not profit from advertising.

In a statement, YouTube said: “We have suspended monetisation on Russell Brand’s channel for violating our Creator Responsibility policy. If a creator’s off-platform behaviour harms our users, employees or ecosystem, we take action to protect the community.”

Barney Davis reports:

YouTube blocks Russell Brand from earning revenue after ‘violating policy’

BBC removes Brand programmes that ‘fall below public expectations’

Tuesday 19 September 2023 13:55 , Tara Cobham

The BBC has removed some programmes featuring Russell Brand that it has deemed to “fall below public expectations”.

Certain shows have been taken down from the corporation’s iPlayer and Sounds sites, 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.

Brand has vehemently denied the allegations in a video released before the report by The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches was made public, saying that his relationships have been “absolutely always consensual”.

Ellie Harrison reports:

BBC removes Russell Brand programmes deemed to ‘fall below public expectations’

How conspiracists jumped to defend Brand

Tuesday 19 September 2023 13:46 , Tara Cobham

Hours before a string of explosive allegations were made about Russell Brand’s alleged behaviour towards women, the comedian had already set the conspiracy theory wheel turning by releasing his own video, in which he “absolutely refutes” claims of sexual wrongdoing.

With an audience of 6.5 million subscribers, many attracted to his YouTube channel due to its alignment with the anti-vaccine movement and Covid denialism, Brand has spent years repeatedly lashing out at the “mainstream media”.

It was no surprise therefore that his two-minute long denial accused the Sunday Times and Channel 4 of a “co-ordinated attack” against him, as he questioned: “Is there another agenda at play?”

Read more here:

How conspiracists jumped to defend Russell Brand before allegations were even made

BBC confirms removal of Brand content

Tuesday 19 September 2023 12:43 , Sam Rkaina

A spokesperson for the BBC press office said: “The BBC does not ban or remove content when it is a matter of public record, unless we have justification for doing so.

“There is limited content featuring Russell Brand on iPlayer and Sounds.

“We’ve reviewed that content and made a considered decision to remove some of it, having assessed that it now falls below public expectations.”

Russell Brand breaks social media silence to like bizarre Schofield tweet

Tuesday 19 September 2023 12:41 , Barney Davis

Russell Brand has broken his social media silence to like a cryptic X post about Phillip Schofield.

Brand, 48, has been accused of rape, sexual assault, and abuse by four women.

Since then, Brand has liked a tweet from an X/Twitter user which features the Dispatches hashtag and a GIF of Schofield. The only words in the post are ‘If only.’

He then goes on to like a Jiu-jitsu meet up.

Russell Brand likes bizarre Phillip Schofield tweet following allegations

Andrew Sachs’ granddaughter speaks out on allegations against ex Russell Brand

Tuesday 19 September 2023 12:32 , Barney Davis

Andrew Sachs’ granddaughter, the woman at the centre of Sachsgate scandal, has moved to defend her ex Russell Brand after multiple sexual assault allegations.

She also revealed the comic had paid for her drug rehab treatment years after he and Jonathan Ross left an offensive voicemail on her grandfather’s phone.

“From my own personal experience I do not see Russell as a rapist however a lot of the evidence is very compelling so one has to keep an open mind,” she said.

“I want him to continue on his path of recovery and when we make mistakes we make amends that’s what we do.”

Andrew Sachs’ granddaughter speaks out on allegations against ex Russell Brand

GB News host ‘overwhelmed’ with support after challenging

Tuesday 19 September 2023 12:23 , Barney Davis

GB News presenter Andrew Pierce has said he has been “overwhelmed” with support for calling out Beverley Turner after their angry clash live on air as they discussed the sexual allegations faced by Russell Brand.

Turner, 49, claimed Brand was being “attacked” and described him as a “hero” on X, formerly Twitter. The comedian denies all allegations against him.

Pierce hit back again on Tuesday after Ms Turner claimed she had been “caught off guard” by his “personal onslaught”.

He wrote: “I’m afraid this is just not true. @bevturner was told in explicit terms I would challenge on air her deeply offensive defence of #russellbrand who she describes as her ‘hero’.

“I’ve been overwhelmed with supportive messages for calling her out.”

After reading her supportive social media post on Monday, Pierce said: “Bev, that is shameful.”

At the time Turner replied: “If that is what they have got after four years of a joint investigation, those four flimsy allegations, from those women who chose to stay anonymous, so there is no one that can counter their version of events.”

BBC drop Russell Brand QI episode from iPlayer after YouTube deplatforming

Tuesday 19 September 2023 12:10 , Barney Davis

The BBC has wiped an episode of QI featuring Russell Brand as a guest as well as a podcast appearance as the corporation investigates alleged sexual assaults while he fronted a Radio 2 show.

The 2018 episode of QI and Brand’s chat with the Joe Wicks podcast from 2021 were deleted from the archive last night.

Channel 4 only has the Dispatches: In Plain Sight documentary on Brand which broke the alleged sexual assaults on Saturday.

It comes as YouTube announced it was blocking Brand from earning money from his channel as the investigation into allegations of sexual assault and rape continue.

Netflix still hosts Brand’s 2018 stand-up special Re:Birth up on the streaming giant’s platform.

Everything we know about Katy Perry and Russell Brand’s short-lived marriage

Tuesday 19 September 2023 11:50 , Barney Davis

Brand infamously dumped pop star Katy Perry via text moments before she went on stage.

One of the women who spoke out against the Rock of Ages actor alleged he raped her at his apartment in Los Angeles on 1 July 2012, just after the divorce.

Here we dive into everything we know about the short-but-tumultuous relationship.

Everything we know about Katy Perry and Russell Brand’s short-lived marriage

How does Russell Brand earn money?

Tuesday 19 September 2023 11:20 , Barney Davis

Despite falling off the mainstream British TV circuit Russell Brand has continued to rake in cash from his ‘anti-establishment’ YouTube channel filmed from a studio at his £3.3million cottage in leafy Oxfordshire.

Brand’s following sits at 6.6 million subscribers on YouTube, 11.2 million followers on Twitter, 1.4 million followers on right-wing video platform Rumble and 3.8 million followers on Instagram.

YouTube is central to Brand’s earning ability, allowing him to earn money from the advertising revenue YouTube makes each time someone watches one of his videos and sees the adverts that appear within and alongside them.

One social media expert told The Guardian they estimate Brand is “likely making £2,000 to £4,000 per video”, not including any affiliate deals or brand sponsorships that may also be running in the background.

As a result, the demonetisation of Brand’s YouTube account is likely to have a significant impact on his earning potential.

YouTube blocks Russell Brand from earning revenue after ‘violating policy’

What I saw at Russell Brand’s ‘sober festival’ shocked me

Tuesday 19 September 2023 11:17 , Barney Davis

The Independent’s Adam Bloodworth went to Russell Brand’s sober festival so you didn’t have to.

He describes The Community Festival – a three-day event dedicated to “embracing extremes, pushing limits and feeling alive” - where Brand swore loudly at his followers with his two young daughters sat close by.

What I saw at Russell Brand’s ‘sober festival’ shocked me

What’s next for Russell Brand?

Tuesday 19 September 2023 10:55 , Barney Davis

The Independent’s Sean O’Grady says “charlatan” Russell Brand isn’t going anywhere despite the multiple sexual assault allegations.

What’s next for Russell Brand? | Sean O’Grady

Michael Barrymore appears to lend support to Brand with ‘This is what they do’ comment

Tuesday 19 September 2023 10:46 , Barney Davis

Michael Barrymore, who was engulfed in his own scandal when a man drowned in his swimming pool at a party in his home, has seemingly lent his support to underfire Russell Brand.

Re-sharing a denial video, where Brand labelled the allegations a “coordinated media attack’, Barrymore cryptically added: “This is what they do...”

The 71-year-old’s former Blankety Blank presenter’s comment were published before the sexual assault allegations were made published by The Sunday Times and Dispatches.

Barrymore joins other celebs including Elon Musk, Andrew Tate and Laurence Fox, who all appear to come out in support of the troubled comic.

Ben Shapiro moves to defend ‘mainstream media’s attack’ on ‘friend' Russell Brand

Tuesday 19 September 2023 10:27 , Barney Davis

Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro moved to defend his “friend” Russell Brand has been targeted by mainstream media and dismisses allegations as “he said, she said” to his six million followers.

He posted a video on X saying: “Russell Brand, a person I consider a friend, has been accused of rape, sexual assault, and abuse between 2006 to 2013 in a supposed “exposé” from the Sunday Times in the U.K.

“I didn’t know Russell during that time, but the media did. They knew that Russell Brand was not only promiscuous but incredibly vile in the sorts of things that he said publicly about sex and about women, and yet the media were championing him.

“Ten years later, when Russell has fixed his life, he gets a full scale exposé about all of the allegations made by these women.”