Latest news with #Sachsgate
Extra.ie
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Russell Brand pleads not guilty to rape and sexual assault
Comedian and actor Russell Brand has pleaded not guilty to charges of rape and sexual assault. The 49-year-old appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court earlier this month, where he heard details of allegations against him. He was charged by post last month with one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault, relating to four separate women. Comedian and actor Russell Brand has arrived at court to enter pleas to sex offence charges including rape and indecent assault. Pic: PA These charges include that he raped a woman in a hotel room when she attended a Labour Party conference. He is also accused of grabbing a TV worker's breasts before dragging her into a toilet and orally raping her. A radio station worker alleges Brand grabbed her by the face, pushed her against a wall and kissed her before groping her breasts and buttocks. The 49-year-old appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court earlier this month where he heard details of allegations against him. Pic: PA Another alleged victim accuses the comedian of indecent assault after he allegedly grabbed her forearm and attempted to drag her into a male toilet. The allegations against Brand are said to have taken place against four women between 1999 and 2005. He did not speak to reporters and looked straight ahead as he walked up to the entrance of Southwark Crown Court on Friday. He was charged by post last month with one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault, relating to four separate women. Pic: PA The actor was charged following an investigation by Channel 4 and the Sunday Times in which several women made allegations against him. He previously told his 11.2 million followers on X that he welcomed the opportunity to prove his innocence. Brand, of Hambleden, Buckinghamshire, is expected to enter pleas when he appears before the Recorder of Westminster, Judge Tony Baumgartner, on Friday. 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. The TV and film star was married to US pop singer Katy Perry from 2010 to 2012 but is now married to Laura Gallacher, the sister of presenter Kirsty, and the pair have two children, Mabel and Peggy.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Celebrity Traitors line-up in full as £100k prize money is revealed
Claudia Winkleman has welcomed famous faces into the Scottish castle for the UK's first ever Celebrity Traitors. The stars will be competing to win up to £100,000 for a charity of their choice. The host said: "We're incredibly lucky these brilliant people have said yes. I'd love to say we'll take it easy on them, and they'll just wander round the castle and eat toast for a couple of weeks, but that would be a lie." Jonathan Ross, Stephen Fry, Alan Carr, Clare Balding and Tom Daley lead the all-star cast. There will be nine episodes where the celebrities play the ultimate game of deceit and backstabbing and trust. Filming for the BBC show begun in April but the reality show will air in the autumn later this year. Its premise is deceptively simple: 19 strangers meet at a Scottish mansion, with a select few chosen to be the Traitors. These secret foes must live alongside their remaining Faithful housemates and try their best to avoid detection while killing off players via nightly eliminations. Celebrity Traitors welcomes TV personalities to the castle instead of civilians. The Traitors has been a huge hit for BBC One, so much so that a fourth series was confirmed before the third had even aired in January. This star-studded spin off follows on from the US version that casts celebrities for the series filmed at the Scottish castle. Alan Carr - Comedian Cat Burns – Singer/Songwriter Celia Imrie – Actor Charlotte Church – Singer/Activist Clare Balding - Broadcaster and Author David Olusoga - Historian and Filmmaker Joe Marler – Former England Rugby Player and Podcaster Joe Wilkinson - Comedian Jonathan Ross - Presenter Kate Garraway - Broadcaster Lucy Beaumont - Comedian Mark Bonnar - Actor Nick Mohammed - Actor and Comedian Niko Omilana - Content Creator Paloma Faith - Singer/Songwriter and Actor Ruth Codd - Actor Stephen Fry - Actor, Writer, Presenter Tameka Empson – Actor and Comedian Tom Daley – Olympian, Author, Broadcaster and Entrepreneur British TV personality Jonathan Ross leads the famous faces for Celebrity Traitors. It will mark the talk show host's first gig with the BBC since he left his Radio 2 show 14 years ago. Ross left the BBC Radio 2 show more than a year after Sachsgate where he joined Russell Brand in leaving lewd messages for actor Andrew Sachs. As a great interviewer of celebrities on The Jonathan Ross show, it will be interesting to see how the host gets on with finding out who are the traitors or indeed evading being found out if he becomes a traitor himself. Comedian Alan Carr could be challenged with staying tight-lipped on the contest. When talking about his hosting gig on Interior Design Masters, the 48-year-old confessed he doesn't have a good poker face — something that is essential for the Traitors. He told Yahoo UK and other press: "[The TV bosses] don't warn me and I go in there and what you see is what you get! My poker face is not the best. "I think the reason I got the job was, they said, 'Alan, you are the people at home'. I've got no filter. It's got me into so much trouble before but like I said, I go in there and if they've painted it the colour of baby poo, then it's baby poo, if it looks like the inside of a nappy, what can I say? "But, yeah, I try not to be too cruel and bullying. I mean sometimes I can't help myself, there's so many WTF moments and you're going, 'Really?' But that's the joy of the show. You get people who inspire you, you go, 'Wow, I'm gonna do that in my house' to people like, 'Oh my God, do not come anywhere near my house.'" British acting icon Stephen Fry was one of the first names to be linked to Celebrity Traitors but he did his absolute best to keep his signing a secret. Perhaps he was also trying out his ability to lie before heading into the Scottish castle himself. Chatting to Lorraine about reality shows in November, the 67-year-old said that "hell would have frozen over" before he would do Strictly Come Dancing or I'm A Celebrity but made things sound more promising for Celebrity Traitors. At the time, he said of the rumours that he was in the cast: "Well, of course I'm in no position to say, I may be practising lying or may be simply talking the truth. I regard that not as reality, but again, I do like games. So, should I be asked, who knows. "There is a version with well-known faces — I can't bring myself to say the word celebrity without dry hacking - but yes, it's an interesting idea." TV funnyman Joe Wilkinson has signed up for Celebrity Traitors too. The 8 out of 10 Cats regular's latest TV appearance saw him appear in Prime Video's hit comedy series Last One Laughing UK. The 50-year-old deadpan comic, who won his episode of Celebrity Bake Off in 2019, regularly works with The Traitors S2 star Joe Gorton on his own podcast Chatabix which did episodes on the reality show in 2024, so he could potentially ask the former Traitor for tips. There are several comedian names in the Celebrity Traitors line-up including actor and writer Nick Mohammed. The 44-year-old has appeared in a variety of other shows, including Intelligence with Friends star David Schwimmer and reality TV show Taskmaster S17. Rugby star Joe Marler announced he was retiring from rugby, standing down from his team Harlequins in November last year at 34 years old. Now he's signed up to Celebrity Traitors, the sports star — who has won the Six Nations three times with England — is clearly looking for his next challenge. After confirming his retirement from diving again, Tom Daley has plans to take the plunge with an entirely different career move. The 30-year-old Olympic legend will ride the waves of reality TV with a stint on Celebrity Traitors. Last year, the sports star achieved a silver medal at the Paris Olympics. Daley returned to diving after his son made a special request to see him in action but now he has plans to spend more time at home with his family. David Olusoga is a British-Nigerian historian, author and presenter. After a three-decade career, the 55-year-old was awarded with a BAFTA Special Award in 2023 for his outstanding contribution to the arts. Olusoga works with the BBC as a presenter for its long-running series A House Through Time and he has also presented the broadcaster's series Britain's Forgotten Slave Owners. Aged 27 and a YouTuber, Niko Omilana is likely to be a hit with a younger audience. As well as his own prank YouTube clips, the social media star has starred alongside the Sidemen in some of their videos. Scottish actor Mark Bonnar has been lined up for the role on Celebrity Traitors. The TV personality, 56, is best known for his role as DCC Mike Dryden in Line of Duty as well as his acting roles in Shetland and Guilt. How will he fare in a reality series based on deception? Kate Garraway may be a trusted news presenter on Good Morning Britain but will she be able to get people trust her in the Scottish castle on The Traitors? The Good Morning Britain host, 57, has been making a name for herself on reality TV. Far away from the usual buzz of the newsroom, Garraway tried out baking on Celebrity Bake Off but was warned by her kids not to shame them again. Previously, the TV presenter had been unmasked on The Masked Singer as Spaghetti Bolognaise but she said the experience left her children "traumatised". Clare Balding has also been invited to lie and deceive her way to the end of the BBC show. The TV star, 54, currently presents for BBC Sport and Channel 4 but Celebrity Traitors would allow audiences to see who Balding is as a person in her day-to-day life. She is a great get for Celebrity Traitors because she has turned down reality TV stints on Strictly Come Dancing and I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here in the past. She previously said: "I wouldn't do it. If they were building a school in Africa or something worthy I'd do it." Joining the comedians starring on Celebrity Traitors is Lucy Beaumont. It would mark the star's biggest TV gig since the end of her marriage to her fellow comedian husband Jon Richardson last year. Beaumont and Richardson had become a TV power couple thanks to their TV show Meet The Richardsons which came out in 2020. It's unlikely that Beaumont would speak about the split on Celebrity Traitors though. She told OK! magazine: "People might think I should talk about it because we were so public and everyone knew us as a couple, but I won't, and not because there's any animosity... We both agreed that while it might be weird for other people not hearing anything about it, we wouldn't talk about anything to do with the marriage or each other." Singer Charlotte Church is one of the biggest names to sign up to the first UK Celebrity Traitors. The Welsh star, 39, may have retreated from the limelight a little bit in recent years but this career move is a step back into the spotlight. Last year, the singer said she was "not a millionaire" anymore when she reflected on her decision to sell her six-bedroom rural mansion, The Spinney, in Wales. She told Closer magazine: "I am not a millionaire anymore. What mattered to me when I bought The Spinney is it was absolutely beautiful and close to the forest and it was a big mansion house. We had a school there for a bit and a studio. When it is used by the community, it makes sense, but when it is not used, it doesn't. We want to be in the mainframe and be involved in life and what it feels like." She is in good company as fellow singer Paloma Faith, 43, is joining in on the fun too. The Only Love Can Hurt Like This chart-topper may have been a big success when it comes to music but she has never done any form of reality television before. Celebrity Traitors would give fans the opportunity to see a different side to her personality that she isn't able to share on stage. Irish actor Ruth Codd said she landed her first professional acting gig as Anya in Netflix's The Midnight Club "by accident". TV bosses found her on TikTok where she has created videos about her life and her experience of disability. Aged 15, the actor had a broken left leg that didn't heal and she made the life-changing decision to have her leg amputated after being left in pain despite eight operations. After The Midnight Club, she starred as Juno Usher in the Netflix horror miniseries The Fall of the House of Usher. This year is set to be an exciting one for Codd as her film debut How To Train Your Dragon hits cinemas this summer and it looks like she could be taking on Celebrity Traitors in the autumn. Meanwhile, EastEnders legend Tameka Empson is swapping Albert Square for the Scottish castle. Best known for her role as Kim Fox in the soap, Celebrity Traitors will be a new experience for the TV star. In the past, the 48-year-old soap star has completed Strictly Come Dancing where she was partnered with Gorka Marquez. Actor Celia Imrie is a natural in front of the camera when it comes to Hollywood movies so it's likely Celebrity Traitors will be great fun for her. The 72-year-old has a number of big films to her name including Bridget Jones, Calendar Girls, Nanny McPhee, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Mamma Mia!. Her latest lead role is in Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club film. Will she take centre stage of Celebrity Traitors too? Cat Burns hopes to hit the right notes as she has signed up to Celebrity Traitors alongside singers Charlotte Church and Paloma Faith. The Brit Award nominated singer wants to be known for more than her voice in the public eye. Celebrity Traitors will offer her that chance. Celebrity Traitors is coming to BBC One and iPlayer autumn, 2025.
Daily Mail
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Russell Brand is represented by Kevin Spacey's lawyer in court as he faces rape and sex assault charges relating to four women
Russell Brand is being represented by Kevin Spacey 's lawyer in court as he faces rape and sexual assault charges relating to four women. The comedian and actor is being represented by Oliver Schneider-Sikorsky, who successfully defended the Hollywood actor Spacey against sex assault allegations in 2023. Brand arrived alongside Mr Schneider-Sikorsky at Westminster Magistrates Court this morning wearing gold rimmed sunglasses, a black shirt and trousers. At least six police officers had to intervene as the defendant was immediately surrounded. As he queued for security inside the court, Brand was seen touching a lawyer's shoulder seemingly to check they were ok. The 49-year-old was charged by post last month with one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault, relating to four separate women. The charges came following a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches in September 2023 in which several women accused him of rape, sexual assaults and emotional abuse. In a video previously posted on his X account, Brand said he welcomed the opportunity to prove his innocence. Brand is charged with the 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. The 2004 sexual assault charge alleges the actor touched the woman's breasts without her consent. He is also accused of indecently assaulting a woman in 2001 by 'grabbing her arm and dragging her towards a male toilet', and sexually assaulting another woman between 2004 and 2005 - both offences are alleged to have taken place in Westminster, London. 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. The TV and film star was married to US pop singer Katy Perry from 2010 to 2012 but is now married to Laura Gallacher, the sister of presenter Kirsty, and the pair have two children, Mabel and Peggy.
The Journal
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Journal
Russell Brand's rape and sexual assault case set to be heard in court
The CRIMINAL CASE against comedian and actor Russell Brand is set to be heard in court after he was charged with sexual offences, including rape. Brand was charged by post last month with one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault, relating to four separate women. A probe was launched into the 49-year-old after he 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. It is currently unclear whether Brand will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday, but in a video posted on X after he was charged, the comedian said: 'I am now going to have the opportunity to defend these charges in court and I'm incredibly grateful for that.' He was also issued with a court summons. Advertisement In a video referencing the court case posted on social media on Thursday, Brand – who is understood to be living in the US – said he welcomed the opportunity to prove his innocence and was 'going to (his) country right now'. Brand is charged with the 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. The 2004 sexual assault charge alleges the actor touched the woman's breasts without her consent. He is also accused of indecently assaulting a woman in 2001 by 'grabbing her arm and dragging her towards a male toilet' and sexually assaulting another woman between 2004 and 2005 – both offences are alleged to have taken place in Westminster, London. 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. The TV and film star was married to US pop singer Katy Perry from 2010 to 2012 but is now married to Laura Gallacher, the sister of presenter Kirsty, and the pair have two children, Mabel and Peggy.
Wales Online
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Russell Brand appears in court to face rape and sexual assault charges
Russell Brand appears in court to face rape and sexual assault charges The comedian has returned to the UK to face charges of sexual assault including rape Russell Brand arriving at Westminster Magistrates' Court (Image: PA ) Comedian and actor Russell Brand has arrived at court to face rape and sexual assault charges. The 49-year-old, who now lives in the US, was charged by post last month with one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault, relating to four separate women between 1999 and 2005. Brand was wearing sunglasses and a navy open-buttoned shirt as he arrived at Westminster Magistrates' Court just before 9.30am on Friday. Photographers surrounded the car he arrived in. He did not speak to reporters as he walked into the hearing. The charges came following a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches in September 2023 in which several women accused him of rape, sexual assaults and emotional abuse. In a video posted on his X account after he was charged, Brand said "I am now going to have the opportunity to defend these charges in court, and I'm incredibly grateful for that." He has denied the accusations and said he has "never engaged in non-consensual activity". Don't miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here Article continues below Brand did not speak to any reporters as he entered the court (Image: Getty Images ) Brand is charged with the 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. The 2004 sexual assault charge alleges the actor touched the woman's breasts without her consent. He is also accused of indecently assaulting a woman in 2001 by "grabbing her arm and dragging her towards a male toilet", and sexually assaulting another woman between 2004 and 2005 - both offences are alleged to have taken place in Westminster, London. 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 Big Brother spin-off shows Big Brother's Big Mouth and Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack in the noughties. Article continues below The TV and film star was married to US pop singer Katy Perry from 2010 to 2012. He is now married to Laura Gallacher, the sister of presenter Kirsty, and the pair have two children, Mabel and Peggy.
