Gigs dropped amid sexual assault allegations

Russell Brand’s final dates in his current stand-up tour have been shelved following the accusations of rape and sexual abuse levelled at him.

The comedian had been due to play  the Theatre Royal Windsor tomorrow, Plymouth Pavilions on Friday and Wolverhampton Civic Hall on Saturday September 28.

However the Windsor venue has issued a statement from the promoters of his Bipolarisation show saying: We are postponing these few remaining addiction charity fundraiser shows, we don't like doing it - but we know you'll understand.’

The news comes after a woman came forward to the Metropolitan Police to say the comedian assaulted her in Central London 20 years ago, after allegations were reported by the Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches this weekend.

Brand has vehemently denied the claims, saying that although he was promiscuous at the height of his fame, every encounter was 'absolutely consensual'.

It has not previously been mentioned that Bipolarisation was an ‘addiction charity fundraiser’ – but the original blurb for the show said to was going to be about ‘rule breaking’. However Brand does have a charity, the Stay Free Foundation, which helps people recover from addiction.

It is not clear who the promoters of his Bipolarisation tour are, as no company was mentioned on any promotional material.

The show was billed as: ‘Rules and rule breaking! Democracy and freedom! We reach conclusions from mass confusion by polling the live audience. We want to hear YOUR opinion. After amassing a movement of 25 million people across his digital channels, the Community festival and the live show Stay Free; the cultural and political commentator and award-winning British comedian is back on stage.

The venues in Windsor and Plymouth have confirmed that ticket-holders will be getting refunds. Tickets are currently still on sale for the Wolverhampton gig.

Brand performed the show at the Troubadour Wembley Park theatre on Saturday evening, just after the allegations against him were made public.

He received a standing ovation as he took to the stage, with one woman carrying a banner saying:  ‘'We stand by you, Russell. Stay strong, stay free. We love you xx.'

The comic told the audience: ‘I really appreciate your support. I love you. I want to do a fantastic show for you.

'I've got a lot to talk to you about. There are obviously some things I absolutely cannot talk about and I appreciate that you will understand. I love you lot already. I'm going to give you everything I've got.’

Last night Channel 4 axed all programmes featuring Brand from its  streaming service. Big Brother’s Big Mouth and the celebrity episode of The Great British Bake Off featuring the comic were pulled.  

However, some of his work still appears on the BBC iPlayer: an 2018 episode of QI featuring Brand as a panellist and a Joe Wicks podcast from 2021 on which he guested. 

Netflix also still has his 2018 stand-up special Re:Birth on its platform.

Brand posted his denials on his YouTube and X channels, saying he believed he was being hounded for challenging the narratives of the mainstream news media. Read his response here.

Published: 18 Sep 2023