BBC Stays Silent On Russell Brand Complaints; Banijay Asked To Probe Claims He Pursued Audience Members For Sex While Hosting ‘Big Brother’
deadline.comThe BBC has refused to say whether it received historical complaints about Russell Brand as the broadcaster is expected to face scrutiny over allegations about the comedian’s alleged conduct.
Brand presented shows for BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 2 from 2006 to 2008. He was forced to quit in a firestorm of controversy for leaving “gratuitously offensive” messages on the voicemail of Andrew Sachs, in which he hinted at sleeping with the Fawlty Towers actor’s granddaughter.
As part of an investigation into allegations that Brand raped and sexually assaulted four women, The Times and Sunday Times newspapers and Channel 4 reported that complaints were made about Brand’s behavior to Lesley Douglas, then controller of BBC Radio 2.
Deadline has contacted Brand’s publicist and attorney for comment. He preemptively refuted criminal allegations in a social media video, in which he said his relationships were “always consensual.” He said reports about his behavior were part of a “concerted agenda” by the “mainstream media” to silence him.
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