Strictly Come Dancing winner and stand-up comedian Chris McCausland has spoken about the “Russell Brand I knew” and predicted there is “more to come” in his case. Brand was found guilty at Southwark Crown Court of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, and was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison.
An open secret in the industry
Speaking to Times Radio, McCausland said that while the behaviour described in court was not an open secret, Brand's general treatment of women was widely known within his circle of the industry.
“You know, what people have said about Russell Brand, his behaviour being an open secret in the industry… I would caveat that by saying there are different circles within the industry,” he said.
“The circle that I was in, his behaviour and his treatment of women, and his morals in the way of him treating women as disposable objects, was very much an open secret within the industry.”
Respect for the women who spoke up
McCausland added that he never heard anything he would have considered criminal, describing Brand as “very, very much a man who lacked morals and had no respect for women.”
He praised the women who came forward, saying: “Fair play to the women who have spoken up, because it must be incredibly difficult when there’s so much public interest in it; especially when it seems that on the surface, he has anticipated this many years before, and pivoted in a way to buy himself some respect.”
“So to face up to him and the entourage he’s managed to create around him deserves the utmost respect. I don’t know much about the law and sentencing, but maybe he’s got what he deserves.”
Listeners react
McCausland also suggested the sentence may not be the end of the matter, saying: “I don’t know if he could have got more, but it’s certainly a severe sentence, and from what we hear, maybe there’s more to come.”
Listeners responded to the segment on X, with one writing: “Chris is spot on about Brand pivoting to get ahead of the charges. And now morons are saying ‘the establishment’ has only gone after him for speaking out. Look at the timeline!”
Another said: “I’d not say Brand’s bad behaviour towards women was an open secret! He never made it a secret! He was blatant about it all over TV.” A third echoed: “Russell Brand saw women as objects.”
