Russell Brand’s last show on mainstream British TV was binned without making it to air five years ago, following allegations by a female comedian of his predatory behaviour, according to The Sun newspaper.
A week after The Times newspaper and Channel 4’s Dispatches programme collaborated to publish a list of claims about the comedian turned influencer, including allegations of rape, sexual assault and abusive behaviour – all of which he denies – The Sun reports that plans for ‘Russell Brand TV’, to be broadcast by the BBC, were put on ice after it transpired that female comedian Katherine Ryan had publicly called Brand on his behaviour during a 2017 recording of Comedy Central’s Roast Battle. The segment of that show was never aired.
This comes after a week in which:
- The BBC has removed from its streaming platforms any content featuring the comedian and has announced a review into his behaviour while employed by the broadcaster
- Brand’s live stand-up tour has been postponed, after he played last week to a 2,000-strong crowd in London on the night the allegations were first aired, and received a standing ovation from his fans
- More women have come forward with claims of abusive behaviour by the comedian around the time of the peak of his fame between 2008 and 2013
- Brand posted a video online Friday evening, urging people to watch his videos on Rumble, continuing to deny all allegations against him and saying it had been “an extraordinary and distressing week.”
