Footage from a 2007 episode of The Graham Norton Show showing Russell Brand touching Lorraine Kelly's thigh and using a derogatory term toward her has resurfaced following his prison sentence. Brand was jailed for 10 years and six months for one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
The 2007 Clip
In the clip, the former actor was answering a question about his film work when he touched the daytime TV host's thigh. "You're wearing suspenders, Jesus Christ!" he exclaimed. "I've taken off more than I can chew. I'm out of my depth."
Kelly laughed and tried to quiet him before Brand continued: "Yes, I have been in other films but it doesn't seem so important now I know Lorraine Kelly's a s**t."
Kelly's Reaction in 2023
The 66-year-old revisited the clip in 2023 following the broadcast of a Dispatches documentary on Brand that covered allegations of rape and sexual assault. The claims made in that show did not form part of his criminal investigation and were never proven, with Brand himself denying them.
However, the documentary did spark a police investigation and encouraged other women to come forward, which ultimately led to his conviction.
Speaking about the clip on her own show, Kelly said she had laughed along because everyone else was and because it was the comedian's "schtick." But she felt "uncomfortable" looking back on it 16 years later.
"I usually got the charming Russell, the flirty Russell," Kelly said before seeing the old clip. After the footage was aired, she added: "That's uncomfortable to watch now, it absolutely is. Obviously, for the record, I was not wearing suspenders at all.
"He was laughing, I was laughing. It's difficult looking back on it, and now I probably would have said something, but it's an entertainment show, that was his shtick."
Comments After Conviction
Kelly spoke again about Brand following his conviction last week. Discussing his "total fall from grace" with Lucy Cave, the presenter said: "I don't think anyone was surprised."
"He was famous for being Russell Brand, and that was almost something that people used in his defence," she continued. "It was like, 'that's just Russell'."
Several celebrities criticised Brand's behaviour before his conviction. His former wife Katy Perry called him "very controlling" and "really hurtful" in an interview in 2013. Sean Lock explained he "hated him" during an appearance on 8 out of 10 Cats, while Vanessa Feltz claimed he made a crude comment about her and her 15-year-old daughter.
