Russell Brand revealed how his marriage to Katy Perry ended and praised his ‘beloved’ wife Laura just a day before being charged with rape and other sex offences.
Brand, 49, who is believed to be living in the US, was today charged with five sex offences against four different women alleged to have taken place between 1999 and 2005.
They relate to the alleged rape of a woman in 1999 in the Bournemouth area and the oral rape and sexual assault of a woman in 2004 in the Westminster area of London.
He has also been charged with indecently assaulting a woman in 2001 and sexually assaulting another woman between 2004 and 2005 – both offences are alleged to have taken place in Westminster, London.
The comedian was charged by post and ordered to appear in court next month – just a day after releasing his latest podcast on streaming platform Rumble.
In the podcast, titled Stay Free, Brand shared intimate details of his marriage with Perry and doled out praise for his current wife Laura Gallacher, with whom he shares two children.
Brand was married to US pop singer Perry from 2010 to 2012, but is now married to Laura, the sister of presenter Kirsty.
Brand and Perry were married at a lavish ceremony after the comedian proposed at the Rambagh Palace hotel in Jaipur.
In the short clip, posted on his X page, Brand said: ‘What I can tell you is when I was married to Katy Perry, she’s like not entirely normal because she’s an extraordinary massive star.
‘She’s not weird or off key and wasn’t involved in anything nefarious as far as I could tell.
‘And the reasons our marriage didn’t work were the normal, human reasons marriages don’t work and I have nothing but respect for her even though I obviously disagree with her political views.
‘But I probably disagree with some of my wife’s, my beloved wife Laura’s, political views. So you always disagree with people don’t you.
‘I think in general Hollywood and the culture is used to spellbind you and distract you I’ve been very very clear about that.
‘And I do now believe that there are planned and organised dark intelligence, there is a planned and organised dark intelligence at work, using the culture for distraction and control.’
On the podcast, Brand discusses news and celebrity gossip, such as the apparent ousting of Elon Musk from Donald Trump’s inner circle, the Netflix drama Adolescence, and Kanye West.
The charges come more than 18 months after Met Police detectives began an investigation after Brand was accused of rape, sexual assaults and emotional abuse by several women in a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches in September 2023.
Brand has previously denied the accusations, and said all his sexual relationships were ‘absolutely always consensual’.
Detective superintendent Andy Furphy from the Metropolitan Police said: ‘The women who have made reports continue to receive support from specially trained officers.
‘The Met’s investigation remains open and detectives ask anyone who has been affected by this case, or anyone who has any information, to come forward and speak with police. A dedicated team of investigators is available via email at [email protected].
‘Support is also available by contacting the independent charity, Rape Crisis at 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line.’
Brand will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday May 2.
Jaswant Narwal, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: ‘We have today authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Russell Brand with a number of sexual offences.
‘We carefully reviewed the evidence after a police investigation into allegations made following the broadcast of a Channel 4 documentary in September 2023.
‘We have concluded that Russell Brand should be charged with offences including rape, sexual assault and indecent assault.’
In November 2024, the CPS confirmed that detectives from the Metropolitan Police had passed on an evidence file regarding sex offence allegations against Brand.
Brand, who presented a BBC Radio 2 show between 2006 and 2008, left the role after his on-air prank, now known as Sachsgate, when he left a ‘lewd’ voicemail for Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs about his granddaughter.
He also presented on Big Brother spin-off shows Big Brother’s Big Mouth and Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack in the noughties.