russell brand: Russel Brand: BBC says sorry to staff over comedian’s ‘out-of-control’ behaviour todayheadline

The BBC has apologised to staff members affected by comedian Russell Brand’s behaviour, acknowledging that many felt unable to raise complaints or concerns during his time at the broadcaster.Brand’s status as one of the BBC’s top presenters reportedly led employees to believe he would “always get his way,” causing them to stay silent.

Internal review findings

On Thursday, the BBC published the findings of internal reviews into Brand’s conduct while working for the broadcaster between 2006 and 2008, particularly on 6 Music and Radio 2, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

This comes after a series of accusations, including rape and sexual harassment, were made against Brand in 2023.

At the request of Director-General Tim Davie, BBC’s Director of Editorial Complaints and Reviews, Peter Johnston, conducted the review. Eight complaints were considered, including two made during Brand’s tenure at the BBC.

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Russell Brand urinated in a cup

In 2007, a BBC employee formally complained that Brand had urinated in a cup during the recording of a Radio 2 show and into a bottle during the recording of another show.Johnston’s report states that Brand “behaved in an aggressive manner, throwing objects at the screen in anger when a mistake was made by the production team during that second show.”

The verbal complaint made to the then-Controller was not dealt with effectively, Johnston admitted.

‘Promiscuous or out-of-control’

Johnston also investigated allegations of Brand exposing himself to a woman in the bathroom of the BBC’s Los Angeles bureau. The report states that the incident was “fairly common knowledge” at the bureau and “often ‘joked about.”

Further, the woman involved informed Johnston that she felt “embarrassed” and didn’t wish to raise it or talk about it, “so, instead treated it lightly when it came up.”

“A few most closely involved in the shows, described Russell Brand as promiscuous or out-of-control, but said that they did not witness anything non-consensual or potentially illegal, nor did they make complaints about this at the time,” Johnston said, amid rumours from staff members about Brand bring groups of women into office and even having sex in staff toilets.

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Johnston further noted that many BBC staff and freelancers found Brand demanding and difficult to work with.

FAQs

1. Who is Russell Brand?
Russell Brand is a British actor and comedian, known for hosting The Russell Brand Show on radio. He has also appeared in films such as Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Get Him to the Greek, Arthur and Rock of Ages. Brand was married to singer Katy Perry.

2. When did Russell Brand work for the BBC?
Russell Brand worked for the BBC from 2006 to 2008, primarily for 6 Music and Radio 2.