Russell Brand denies ‘serious allegations’ of Dispatches investigation

The BBC has launched an investigation into claims of inappropriate behaviour and grooming made against Russell Brand.

The comic, 48, presented radio shows for the broadcaster between 2006 and 2008.

A spokesperson for the corporation told Express.co.uk: “The documentary and associated reports contained serious allegations, spanning a number of years.

“Russell Brand worked on BBC radio programmes between 2006 and 2008 and we are urgently looking into the issues raised.”

The news comes after production company Banijay UK, who ran Big Brother spin-off shows fronted by Brand in the early 2000s, launched a probe after similar allegations of misconduct emerged about his time at Channel 4.

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A company statement read: “In light of the very serious allegations…relating to the alleged serious misconduct of Russell Brand produced by Endomol between 2004 and 2005 Banijay UK has launched an urgent internal investigation.

“We also ask anyone who feels that they were affected by Brand’s behaviour while working on these productions to contact us in confidence.”

A Channel 4 spokesperson said that the organisation was “appalled” by the allegations.

They added: “We are determined to understand the full nature of what went on. We have carried out extensive document searches and have found no evidence to suggest the alleged incidents were brought to the attention of Channel 4.

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“We will continue to review this in light of any further information we receive, including the accounts of those affected individuals. We have asked the production company who produced the programmes for Channel 4 to investigate these allegations and report their findings properly and satisfactorily to us.

“Channel 4 is also conducting its own internal investigation, and we would encourage anyone who is aware of such behaviour to contact us directly.”

The comic has been accused of sexual assault, and abusive and predatory behaviour, alleged to have occurred between 2006 and 2013 in a Channel 4 Dispatches documentary which aired last night (September 16).

The Metropolitan Police stated: “We are aware of media reporting of a series of allegations of sexual assault.

“At this time, we have not received any reports in relation to this. If anyone believes they have been the victim of a sexual assault, no matter how long ago it happened, we would encourage them to contact police.”

Russell appeared live on stage at Wembley in west London on September 16, telling his audience there were certain things he “cannot discuss”.

In an earlier statement, Russell strongly denied the allegations and claimed in a viral video that all of his relationships have been “consensual”.

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