The findings of an investigation into Russell Brand’s behavior while hosting Big Brother spin-off programmes have revealed that informal concerns raised about his conduct were not properly addressed. The comedian and actor hosted shows like Big Brother’s Big Mouth and Big Brother’s Celebrity Hijack on Channel 4 between 2004 and 2008.
According to the investigation conducted by production company Banijay UK, managers were made aware of allegations that Brand asked staff to obtain audience members’ phone numbers and that his behavior made female crew members feel uncomfortable or intimidated. However, no formal complaints were made, and the concerns were not escalated as they should have been.
Banijay UK issued an apology, stating, “We are extremely sorry to anyone who was impacted by this behavior and felt unable to speak up or that their voice was not properly heard.” This comes after Brand was previously accused of rape, assault, and emotional abuse in a separate investigation last September.
The investigation also revealed that Brand was known to have had consensual sexual relationships with some audience and staff members. Producers were aware of his reputation as a “recovering drug addict with a reputation for being ‘edgy’,” but no specific safeguards were put in place to protect those working with him or the audience.
Banijay UK chief executive Patrick Holland acknowledged the improvements in industry protocols and expectations of behavior in recent years. Channel 4, where Brand hosted the shows, thanked Banijay for their investigation and noted their findings.
This latest development comes after Channel 4’s own internal probe found that a “serious” complaint made against Brand in 2009 was not properly investigated. The entertainment industry continues to grapple with issues of accountability and ensuring a safe working environment for all.
