Russell Brand’s appearance on Piers Morgan Uncensored has been widely mocked online after the former comedian struggled for over 90 seconds to find a Bible passage he claimed to have read in court. Brand, 50, faces trial later this year over allegations of rape and sexual assault from six women, which he denies. The incidents are alleged to have occurred between 1999 and 2009.
Bible incident in court
During the interview aired on Friday, Brand was asked about taking a Bible into his court hearing in February. The religious text was confiscated after he began reading it in Southwark Crown Court. Morgan queried: “What was your thinking of taking it into court and you were seen looking at some passages – what were the relevant passages?”
Awkward silence
Brand responded: “It was this from Isaiah,” before searching his Bible for over 90 seconds of excruciating silence. Morgan shot awkward looks at the camera. Eventually, Brand admitted: “I can’t actually find the verse that I had that day but this is good enough. This is from Isaiah 12.”
Social media reaction
The moment was ridiculed online. One viewer wrote: “This is so painful to watch. Piers Morgan asked Russell Brand to read the passages that were relevant to him when he brought his Bible into court.” Another described it as “one of the most painfully awkward exchanges” of the week. A third tweeted: “There should be a class action lawsuit against Russell Brand for making anyone suffer through this awkward moment. 2 mins of my life I will never get back.”
Discussion of past relationship
In the interview, Brand also discussed his prior relationship with a 16-year-old girl when he was 30, calling it “morally and spiritually wrong” though legal. He said: “How I feel about it, as I’ve said, is that it’s not nice to know that my actions have contributed to a person’s suffering. There should be, there must be, justice for that.” The woman is not among those bringing charges.
Trial date set
Brand’s trial is scheduled for October 12 at Southwark Crown Court.
