Accounts show how lucrative his new career is

Russell Brand’s pivot from comedian to online commentator is proving remarkably lucrative. 

Accounts newly submitted to Companies House show his business assets grew by £3.2million in the 12 months to December 2023.

His firm, Pablo Diablo’s Legitimate Business Firm Limited, is now sitting on assets of more than £8million.

The period of the accounts covers the time when Channel 4's Despatches and Times newspapers aired a string of serious allegations about his sexual conduct.

In the wake of the claims of rape and sexual assault  – which Brand denies – YouTube suspended his ability to earn money on the platform.

While it was described at the time as ‘a massive hit to his finances’, he continues to monetise his videos on the rival Rumble platform. 

When MPs suggested the company withhold payments to Brand in the wake of the reports, they replied:  ‘We regard it as deeply inappropriate and dangerous that the UK Parliament would attempt to control who is allowed to speak on our platform or to earn a living from doing so.

‘Singling out an individual and demanding his ban is even more disturbing, given the absence of any connection between the allegations and his content on Rumble.

‘Although it may be politically and socially easier for Rumble to join a cancel culture mob, doing so would be a violation of our company's values and mission.’

Brand also has a ‘blue tick’ account on Twitter, allowing him to capitalise on the posts he makes to his 11.3million followers.

The Pablo Diablo’s Legitimate Business Firm accounts acknowledge that Rumble’s fees formed part of his income, alongside live performances and merch sales.

They also state that the company employed 10 people other than Brand, its sole director.

Brand, who became a Christian last year, recently launched a series called Breaking Bred ‘where I can talk about my faith on a deeper level with others’. His first guest was hardline right-winger Tucker Carlson, with whom he now tours.

Last week, the BBC published the results into a review into Brand's time at the corporation and apologised to staff who felt they could not raise concerns about his behaviour because he was seen as ‘too influential’.

Published: 6 Feb 2025