British comedian and actor, Russell Brand, appeared in a London court on Friday to face five charges related to rape and other sexual offences.
Brand, 49, who rose to fame in the UK with his provocative comedy and gained international recognition during his marriage to pop singer Katy Perry, was formally charged last month.
He faces two counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, and one count of indecent assault.
The charges stem from alleged incidents involving four women between 1999 and 2005.
Prosecutors brought the case following a Metropolitan Police investigation triggered by a Channel 4 documentary aired in September 2023.
Authorities say the investigation remains open and have encouraged anyone with relevant information to come forward.
Brand arrived at court amid a crowd of reporters and onlookers. Dressed casually in an open-necked dark shirt and jeans, he spoke only to confirm his personal details. The court granted him bail and scheduled the next hearing for May 30.
The allegations include the rape of a woman in Bournemouth in 1999, the oral rape and sexual assault of a woman in Westminster in 2004, an indecent assault on a woman in 2001, and a sexual assault involving another woman between 2004 and 2005, also in Westminster.
In a video posted on X following the charges, Brand denied all allegations, expressing confidence in his innocence and gratitude for the chance to defend himself.
“I was a fool before I lived in the light of the Lord. I was a drug addict, a sex addict and an imbecile, but what I never was was a rapist. I’ve never engaged in non-consensual activity,” he stated.
The court confirmed Brand resides part-time in the United States but also provided an address in Buckinghamshire, England.
Born in 1975 in Essex to working-class parents, Brand began his career in stand-up comedy before achieving fame as a television and radio presenter. He hosted a BBC Radio 2 show from 2006 to 2008 but left after an infamous prank involving actor Andrew Sachs. He also fronted a Big Brother spin-off show and wrote for The Guardian, publishing two autobiographies.
Beyond his entertainment career, Brand has gained a large following online, known for his anti-establishment views and conspiracy theories. He currently has nearly seven million YouTube subscribers, 11.3 million followers on X, and 4.8 million on Instagram.
Brand was married to Katy Perry for 14 months between 2010 and 2012. He is now married to author and illustrator Laura Gallacher, with whom he shares three children.
