BBC removes Russell Brand programs said to ‘fall short of public expectations’
The BBC has removed some shows starring Russell Brand which it said “fell short of public expectations”.
Certain shows were removed from the company’s iPlayer and Sounds websites after allegations of sexual assault were made against the host.
The 48-year-old comedian was accused of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse by four women. The alleged incidents occurred between 2006 and 2013. At the time, Brand was at the height of his fame in the UK and was working as a presenter for BBC Radio 2 and Channel 4.
Brand vehemently denied the allegations in a video released by The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4 ahead of the report’s publication, saying his relationships have “absolutely always been consensual”.
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A BBC press office spokesman said: “The BBC does not ban or remove content if it is in the public domain unless we have a justification for doing so.
“There is limited content with Russell Brand on iPlayer and Sounds.
“We have reviewed this content and made a considered decision to remove some of it as we have concluded that it now falls short of the public’s expectations.”
It is understood that an episode of QI and a Joe Wicks podcast, both of which featured Brand as a guest, were deleted.
On the Wicks podcast, Brand – who was treated for sex addiction – spoke about his struggles and described his life as “defined by the pursuit of addictions”.
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(PA archive)
He said: “Drug addiction and behavioral addictions dominated my life. And then I get off them…
“On an average day, I get up, do what I need to do with my kids and family, meditate, and then talk to other people with addiction issues who have less time to be clean and sober than I do. Then I talk to people who have more time [clean and sober] than me to tell them if I have any problems. Addiction controls me.”
The Independent has contacted the BBC for further information about which programs have been axed. Brand’s representatives have also been contacted for comment.
Earlier this week, Channel 4 removed a number of TV episodes featuring Brand from its catch-up platform, including Big brother’s big mouth – which he moderated – and The big celebrity bake-off what he won.
The remaining shows on Brand’s Bipolarization tour have also been postponed as the Metropolitan Police said it had received a new report of an alleged sexual assault in 2003.
The BBC, Channel 4 and Banijay UK bought Endemol, the company commissioned by Channel 4 to produce it Big Brother The spin-off shows Brand hosted have all launched investigations into his behavior while he worked on their programs.
Brand was also dropped by his agents at Tavistock Wood.
In a statement, the agency confirmed it had been contacted about Brand’s alleged behavior in 2020, which he denied.
“Russell Brand has categorically and vehemently denied the allegations made in 2020, but we now believe we were terribly misled by him,” they said.
“TW has terminated all professional ties with Brand.”
And Brand’s publisher Bluebird has interrupted its collaboration with the comedian. His new self-help book should be published next December.