Russell Brand and his wife Laura made their final appearance together on their podcast, Sunday Service with The Brands, just weeks before he was jailed for rape and sexual assault. The episode, titled The I of The Storm, was posted on October 11th.
Final Podcast Episode
During the opening, Brand said: "We're in the UK, why is that?" before joking "fancied a trip" and adding "the Lord brought us here". Laura then recounted how they were back in the UK and started promoting her book.
They opened the podcast with a prayer, and Brand asked for people to "pray for us if you feel so inclined" ahead of the trial, which was set to start the day after.
Trial and Sentencing
Brand said: "For me being back here, obviously there are great challenges knowing that however we shake this down, there are people that feel aggrieved and hurt and my prayer is that this will be addressed in the coming weeks. We'll do our best to respect the important restrictions that exist around court cases to ensure that truth and justice can be done."
Laura said it was their aim to carry on with Sunday Service and said despite being faced with "times of challenge", that's when they needed to find their "footing" and their "grounding" and their "anchor and connection with God".
Prison Talk on Podcast
Later in the podcast, Laura read a message from a viewer, which said: "I know what it's like to be awaiting possible imprisonment and the huge pressure it places on loved ones too. You WILL get through it; iron sharpens iron. The presence of God is everywhere, including prison."
Brand interrupted her, saying, "I don't like things where it's like, you might have to go to prison."
The caption for the podcast references the trial and reads: "Back in the UK for Russell’s trial The Brands discuss hurricane Isiah, US vs UK grocery store vs super markets accessing the kingdom of God, beyond the realm of earthly illusion and “the mystery woman in yellow”, Laura’s new altar ego gets an item."
Court Appearance and Sentence
Laura has been by Brand's side throughout the trial, including walking into court alongside him for each day. She was also emotional in court ahead of him being sentenced.
Brand was given 10 years and six months in prison after being convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, and is being investigated regarding further allegations.
His wife is standing by him and Brand mouthed a quick message to Laura across the courtroom as he was taken down to the cells. He told her he loved her and then while being led to the cells, Brand briefly paused to attempt to speak to his wife, telling her "We'll be OK" as he faces his jail term.
Laura was later seen leaving court, flanked by security. She did not respond to any reporters asking her questions. Brand, 51, and Laura, 39, have been married since 2017, after they started dating when she was 19 and he was 31.
