Channel 4 Asks Producers To Report “Historical Allegations” About Russell Brand
deadline.comEXCLUSIVE: Channel 4 has asked third-party production companies to report “historical allegations” about Russell Brand after he was accused of raping and sexually assaulting women.
In an email seen by Deadline, Chief Content Officer Ian Katz said Channel 4 wanted to hear from anyone impacted by Brand, urging producers to “bring to our attention any historical allegations or concerns.” The call for evidence follows The Times, Sunday Times, and Channel 4 reporting allegations that Brand sexually assaulted four women at the height of his fame.
Brand vehemently denies the claims and has said all of his relationships were consensual. Katz said he was “appalled” by the accusations against Brand, saying that the Dispatches investigation — which he ultimately commissioned — paints an “ugly picture” that means Channel 4 must “redouble our commitment to ensuring safe working conditions for all those in our industry.” The Times newspapers and Dispatches reporting revealed questions about Brand’s conduct on Big Brother, which he helped present for Channel 4 in the noughties.
Brand has been accused of flashing his penis at a runner and pursuing female audience members for sex while working on EFourum and Big Brother’s Big Mouth, which were produced by Banijay-owned Endemol for Channel 4.
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