Russell Brand, 51, was found guilty on Thursday of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, with a further two rape charges and one allegation of attempted indecent assault dismissed. The sentencing hearing, due to begin at 10.30am on Monday, was delayed to rearrange the courtroom so that the convicted rapist, his supporters, and the public gallery could not see the witness box.
Six women gave evidence against Brand, while the former comedian, once married to Katy Perry, could not persuade any celebrity friends or former showbiz colleagues to testify in his defence. Brand rose to fame as one of the UK's most prominent stand-up comedians, a TV and radio host, and a Hollywood film star.
Celebrities Who Spoke Out Early
Years before the allegations became public, several celebrities had already voiced concerns about Brand's conduct. In September 2023, it emerged that Brand was dropped from the Comedy Central series Roast Battle after co-star Katherine Ryan accused him of being a "sexual predator" during recording. Sources close to the production told Deadline that Ryan "turned the heat" onto Brand, though her allegations did not make the final cut. Brand left the show and largely disappeared from UK TV screens from 2018 apart from an appearance on The Great Celebrity Bake Off.
Ryan spoke about working on Roast Battle without naming Brand, telling Louis Theroux Interviews: "I - in front of loads of people, in the format of the show - said to this person's face that they are a predator." According to Deadline, multiple sources confirmed Ryan was referring to Brand.
Comedians and Presenters Who Raised Concerns
Comedian Sean Lock, who died of cancer in 2021, said seven years earlier that he would hate it if Brand went near his daughters. He said: "Probably the reason I hate him so much is because I'm a dad and I've got this fear that one day my daughters will bring something like that home. And he'll come in and go, 'Oh, oh, such pleasure to be in your charming abode'." In 2008, Lock described Brand as a "funny bloke" and "talented man", but also a "bad example" to young comedians, as he gave the impression that success required disembowelling yourself for public consumption, with details from your life "sold and bartered for attention".
In 2006, singer Dannii Minogue called Brand a "vile predator" after appearing with him on his MTV chat show. She said: "[Brand] is completely crazy and a bit of a vile predator. I certainly don't think he has cured his sex addiction, that's for sure. He wouldn't take no for an answer." According to Minogue, Brand kept making "shocking remarks" during the interview, which she could not repeat, adding: "Just uttering the words would make me blush."
Daytime TV host Lorraine Kelly recalled an appearance alongside Brand on The Graham Norton Show in 2007. Kelly shared a clip on her own programme, Lorraine, showing Brand touching her leg and exclaiming: "Oh my god, you're wearing suspenders. I have been in other films, but none of that matters now I know Lorraine Kelly is a sl*t." Reflecting on the clip, Kelly said she would now probably have said something, noting: "It's an entertainment show. That was his shtick... That's what he was not just doing, but actively encouraged to do. It's not that long ago, not really. I do wonder if I would have put up with that now. I do wonder if we are in a different place now and if it even would have been aired."
Personal and Public Confrontations
Pop star Katy Perry married Brand in October 2010 and announced their divorce 14 months later. Perry described Brand as "controlling" and "really hurtful", telling 60 Minutes Australia in 2020: "It was just like a tornado. It was like everything happening at once." She also said she had always resonated with friction, resistance, and challenges as she sought to explain what initially drew her to Brand.
At the 2007 NME Awards, musician Bob Geldof walked onto the stage and said: "Russell Brand – what a c***." Another musician, Rod Stewart, was involved in a public dispute with Brand long before the conviction. Accepting an award at the 2006 GQ Man of the Year awards, Brand said: "Here's to Rod Stewart who had a go at me earlier this year for too much womanising. But then again I did have a go at his daughter." Stewart, invited on stage to accept an award for Outstanding Achiever, responded by asking "You went with my daughter, did you?" before instructing Brand to "stand up." Brand retreated, claiming he "took her out for one evening", to which Stewart replied: "Did you behave yourself?" Brand then said: "I never touched that girl." Stewart fired back: "F------ right, you didn't. You mustn't come up here and boast. I speak here as a father."
