Kelly Brook has faced criticism after asking why some women did not speak publicly about their experiences with Russell Brand sooner.
The television personality discussed Brand's conviction and sentencing during an appearance on ITV's Loose Women, where she said she had warned people in the entertainment industry to be cautious around him for years.
Brand, 51, was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison after being convicted of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others between 2004 and 2009.
Brook's comments on Loose Women
Speaking on the programme, Brook said she knew women who had spoken to her about their experiences with Brand and reflected on why some had not previously come forward publicly.
She said: "I speak to the women who were in these situations with Russell and I said, 'Why didn't you say anything?' One in particular said to me, 'I thought I was the only one, I didn't realise'. It's only when multiple women come forward and share their stories that you realise what's happened to you."
Brook said she was "just so happy" for the women in the legal case who managed to get "justice in the way they have". Describing her warnings to people in the industry, she recalled telling one woman, "Stay away from Russell Brand".
The former I'm A Celebrity star added: "Now, I didn't know about any of these allegations back then, I just knew that he was someone you needed to be wary of."
Viewer reactions
Some viewers accused her of being "insensitive" towards the apparent victims by asking why they hadn't gone public with their stories. "Asking a survivor why she didn't say anything? Shameful," one wrote on X, while another added: "I was going to say this! I know she meant well but it definitely sounds insensitive."
"Bit judgemental from her," a third posted. Others defended Brook, however, with user penning: "It's good to see other celebrities speaking out about Russell Brand. We need to keep talking so these men can't stay hidden forever."
The Standard has contacted Brook's representative for comment.
Brook's past interview with Brand
Elsewhere during her Loose Women appearance, Brook reflected on being previously interviewed by Brand. She spoke to him in 2006 on MTV while promoting her film Survival Island, but said she was never "targeted" by him. She claimed this was because she was in long-term relationships with high-profile stars when they interacted.
During the interview, Brand said he thought about shaking her hand instead of a hug when they were introduced so that she wouldn't, "at any point think, 'I could destroy him with my sexual charisma.'"
Brand was convicted at Southwark Crown Court earlier this week. The court heard how one woman was raped by Brand in 2009, when she was 21, at his luxury London home. Other women who worked at Channel 4, MTV and Capital Radio also accused the former television presenter of sexual misconduct.
Sentencing and aftermath
On Monday, Mr Justice Bennathan criticised Brand's "staggering arrogance" as he sentenced him to 10-and-a-half years in prison. The judge told Brand: "About 20 years ago Russell Brand, you were becoming famous, you were clever, and in many people's eyes you were funny and charismatic. You had also become a sexual predator."
Brand's barrister launched a verbal attack on a journalist outside the courtroom after his sentencing. Ian Winter KC turned on Sunday Times journalist Rosamund Urwin, whose reporting helped bring allegations against Brand into the public domain, confronting her with the words: "I hope you are pleased with yourself."
Urwin refused to back down, firing back: "I'm pleased justice has been done," to which Winter replied: "Well, it wasn't. You f***** it. Congratulations."
The exchange came after Brand's legal team sought to blame media coverage for the case against him, with Winter arguing during the trial that reporting by Urwin and others had "poisoned the well" and made it impossible for his client to receive a fair trial. But his claims were rejected by trial judge Mr Justice Bennathan, who dismissed Brand's bid to prevent the trial from going ahead because of negative media coverage.
