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Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Russell Brand's festival axed after rape charge as fans demand refunds
Comedian and actor Russell Brand's planned 'Community' wellness festival has been called off amid mounting issues and public backlash Russell Brand 's wellness-themed 'Community' festival has been cancelled amid declining ticket sales and rising demand for refunds, following the comedian's recent rape charge. Brand, 49, was formally charged by the Metropolitan Police in May with multiple offences, including a charge of rape, indecent assault, and controlling or coercive behaviour. The alleged incidents involve four women and span from 1999 to 2005, during a period when Brand was active on television, radio, and in film. The charges were presented at Westminster Magistrates' Court on May 3. Brand spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, address, and to acknowledge his bail conditions. He previously denied all allegations, stating that his past relationships were consensual and that he 'never was a rapist.' The festival, scheduled for July, was set to take place over three days and feature activities such as yoga, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, massage, meditation, and live music. Brand's wife, Laura Gallacher, was also expected to speak at the event. Promoted as 'about personal awakening and social change', the festival was part of Brand's recent shift toward wellness and spiritual commentary. His website described it as a gathering for 'camping, conversation on spirituality, wellness, healthy living and our environment". In a sustainability message, Brand urged attendees to consider eco-friendly travel: 'Audience travel is typically the largest part of an event's carbon footprint. Please consider a lower-carbon travel route: public transport, shuttle bus, coach or if you're driving, fill your car with passengers.' The cancellation has not been formally addressed by Brand. However, ticket sales have been halted, and a message on ticketing platform The Ticket Sellers confirms: 'Please note: this event has now been cancelled, more detail may be contained in the event text below. If you have purchased tickets for this event, then please contact us on 0121 472 6688 or email refunds@ The festival followed a similar event held in Hay-on-Wye in 2023, part of Brand's rebranding as a wellness advocate and spiritual commentator. The criminal case includes four separate allegations. One woman alleges she was raped by Brand in a hotel room during a Labour Party conference in 1999. According to court testimony, the assault occurred after the woman returned from the bathroom and was pushed onto a bed. A second woman accuses Brand of indecent assault in 2001, claiming he grabbed her forearm and attempted to drag her into a men's toilet at a TV studio. A third complainant, a television worker Brand met in Soho in 2004, alleges he groped her breasts, pulled her into a bathroom, and forced her to engage in oral sex. The fourth allegation involves a woman who worked at a radio station while Brand was presenting Big Brother 's Big Mouth. She alleges that he grabbed her face, kissed her, and groped her. The allegations first came to light in September 2023, following a joint investigation by The Times, The Sunday Times, and Channel 4 's Dispatches. In response, Brand posted a video denying the claims and said he welcomed the chance to prove his innocence. If you've been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999
Metro
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Russell Brand's festival axed as customers seek refunds after rape charge
Russell Brand's career has taken yet another blow due to the cancellation of his upcoming wellness festival. Last month, the actor and comedian was formally charged with rape by the Metropolitan Police. It came after allegations were made against him, accusing Brand of rape, sexual assault, and controlling behaviour over several years at the height of his fame, when he was fronting talk shows, hosting on mainstream radio, and starring in Hollywood blockbusters. The 49-year-old has maintained his innocence, previously stating that any encounters were 'consensual' and declaring he was 'never was a rapist.' However, Brand's fans have started seeking refunds for his event, due to be held in July. Consequently, the 'Community' festival has been quietly axed, according to the Daily Mail, as interest waned in ticket purchasing and those already attending seemingly changed their minds. A description of the event said on Brand's website: 'Community is about personal awakening and social change. 'Russell Brand and friends will be back for 3 days of camping, conversation on spirituality, wellness, healthy living and our environment.' In his own appeal, Brand also said: 'Audience travel is typically the largest part of an event's carbon footprint. 'Please consider a lower-carbon travel route: public transport, shuttle bus, coach or if you're driving, fill your car with passengers.' The festival was due to offer activities like yoga, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and massages. There would also be meditation sessions hosted by holistic healers and musical performances. Additionally, Laura Gallacher, Brand's wife, whom he married in 2017, was set to give a talk. While Brand is yet to issue a statement confirming the cancellation personally, links on The Ticket Sellers website no longer work. A notice also reads: 'Please note: this event has now been cancelled, more detail may be contained in the event text below. If you have purchased tickets for this event, then please contact us on 0121 472 6688 or email refunds@ A similar sort of festival took place in Hay-on-Wye in 2023, with the controversial star having rebranded in recent years as a charismatic, spiritual guru deeply embedded in the alternative health world. In early May, Brand made his first court appearance at Westminster Magistrates' Court after allegations of offences against four women from 1999 to 2005. Brand, 49, spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, address, and that he understood his bail conditions. The charges against him as heard in court include him allegedly raping a woman in a hotel room when she attended a Labour Party conference. Following a theatrical event in Bournemouth in 1999, it is alleged that while the woman went to the bathroom, Brand removed some of his clothing and later pushed her on the bed, removed her underwear, and raped her. Another of Brand's alleged victims has accused him of indecent assault after being allegedly grabbed by her forearm by the actor as he attempted to drag her into a male toilet at a television station in 2001. The court heard the third alleged victim was a television worker Brand met in Soho in 2004. He is accused of grabbing her breasts before allegedly pulling her into a toilet and orally raping her. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The final complainant is a radio station worker who met Brand while he was working for Channel 4 on Big Brother's Big Mouth between 2004 and 2005, the court heard. More Trending Brand is alleged to have grabbed her by the face with both hands, pushed her against a wall, and kissed her before grabbing her breasts and buttocks. Allegations against Brand were first published in September 2023 when the alleged victims came forward. Posting on his X account at the time, he said he welcomed the opportunity to prove his innocence. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Russell Brand's derelict pub has 'ripped the heart out' of local community, neighbours say
