Comedian Daniel Sloss, one of the first to speak out about Russell Brand's predatory side, has said he has heard "rumours" about other famous people, but cannot name them due to the risk of defamation.
Sloss appeared in the 2023 documentary Russell Brand: In Plain Sight, a joint investigation by The Times and Channel 4 in which four women accused Brand of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse. Brand denied the allegations, and the claims were not proven in court at the time.
The documentary triggered a police investigation and led to more women coming forward. The subsequent allegations ultimately led to Brand being found guilty last week of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
Rumours on the circuit
Sloss said he had heard rumours about the comedian for years on the circuit, and that female comedians had been warning each other about him on WhatsApp groups. Appearing on Andrew Gold's Heretics, in an episode filmed before Brand's trial, he explained he chose to come forward after his own experiences with a friend who turned out to be a sexual predator.
Sloss spoke about the incident in his show X, saying: "You can't do a show talking about calling out the behaviour of other men and then be given a very real chat to call out the behaviour of other men and not do it."
No bravery in speaking out
He said "a lot of people" in his life tried to talk him out of appearing on the documentary, fearing the "more famous" Brand would come after him. But he dismissed claims he was "brave" for speaking out, saying "it takes no bravery to say here are rumours that I've heard since 19 years old".
"That's not the courage that the women in the documentary showed by coming forward and reliving the worst days of their life," he added.
When asked by Gold whether Brand was the only person he had been "hearing stuff about", Sloss answered "No". Asked whether he could name them, he explained he could not due to risks of defamation.
Sentencing due
Sloss's comments come as Brand is due to be sentenced later today following his conviction last week, in which he was also cleared of two other rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault. It is expected he will face a significant sentence.
Those within the courtroom claimed the convicted rapist cut "a strange and lonely figure" in the dock. He has been remanded in HMP Wandsworth since the verdict and has reportedly been subjected to chants from inmates. One investigative journalist warned he will be a "target his whole time in jail".
