Russell Brand dropped from major TV job with Katherine Ryan after he was called a ‘predator’ during filming
RUSSELL Brand was dropped from a major TV job with comedian Katherine Ryan after being called a “predator” during filming.
Brand, who denies allegations of rape and sexual abuse, was reportedly called out repeatedly in a television studio.
Behind-the-scenes claims about his exit from a Comedy Central show came as new accusations against the comic and film star emerged.
Producers dropped him from his last major TV job in Britain on the programme Roast Battle after just one series in 2018.
He was booked as a judge on the show but faced on-camera allegations he had sexually assaulted women, Deadline reports.
It comes as…
- More women have reportedly come forward with accusations against Brand
- One alleged victim claimed the comedian sent a BBC car to pick her up
- A pal said wife Laura Gallacher is standing by Brand’s side amid allegations
- The BBC and Channel 4 launch urgent probes into the star
- An alleged victim opens up about the time she claimed Brand raped her
- A Rishi Sunak spokesman labelled the allegations “very serious and concerning”
British-based Canadian comic Ryan is said to have aimed barbs at him though they never made Roast Battle’s final edits.
She was a fellow judge on the show, which challenges comics to hurl one-liner joke insults at each other – inspired by US comedy “roasts”.
Ryan, 40, has previously spoken about a well-known figure being infamous on the comedy circuit for his behaviour.
Last year she told the Louis Theroux Interviews programme she once confronted a co-star, saying: “I, in front of loads of people in the format of the show, said to this person’s face that they are a predator.”
She said she was refusing to name the person for fears of a “litigious minefield”, while also adding she had not been assaulted by them.
Deadline today said multiple sources told them she was talking about Brand and the filming of Roast Battle’s first series.
The show’s production company Fulwell 73 reportedly “grew uncomfortable with the rumours swirling around Brand”, as well as his alleged reluctance to be the target of comedy “roasts” himself.
Deadline quoted a source as saying: “Contract negotiations were made as tricky as possible, is the best way to put it.
“In the end, it came down to the fact that it seemed like Russell didn’t have a good sense of humour – he didn’t feel he was fair game.”
Brand’s role on the judging panel was taken by Jonathan Ross for the show’s second series.
Brand has denied this weekend’s allegations of rape, sexual assault and abuse against four women including one who was just 16 at the time.
The 48-year-old dad-of-two faces allegations in a joint investigation by The Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches including that he raped a woman against a wall at his Los Angeles apartment.
Four women say he attacked them at the height of his fame between 2006 and 2013, when he was presenting on BBC Radio 2 and Channel 4 and starring in Hollywood movies.
He is accused of not only rape and sexual assault but also emotional and physical abuse, which he denies.
The Metropolitan Police urged other potential victims to come forward while the BBC and Channel 4 have opened investigations.
Brand posted a video denying any wrongdoing to his own YouTube channel on Friday night, before any claims had yet been published.
He said he “absolutely refutes” the allegations and insisted all his previous relationships as “always consensual”.
Brand described himself as “promiscuous” during the height of his fame but denied any criminal aspect to his behaviour.
He wed US pop star Katy Perry in October 2010 but their marriage lasted just 14 months.
Meanwhile, the BBC is facing questions over Brand’s time with the corporation – including claims chiefs ignored warnings while also spending public money on a teenage girlfriend.