Russell Brand has spoken publicly for the first time since being accused of rape and sexual assault in September 2023.

The actor and comedian told Tucker Carlson, in an interview posted on the former Fox News host's YouTube channel on Wednesday, that it was 'hurtful' to be accused of 'what I consider to be the most appalling crimes'.

He added: 'This is very, very painful and very, very hurtful.'

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los angeles, california january 24 russell brand speaks onstage during musicares person of the year honoring aerosmith at west hall at los angeles convention center on january 24, 2020 in los angeles, california photo by lester cohengetty images for the recording academy
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Russell Brand pictured in 2020.

Brand was accused of rape and sexual assaults between 2006 and 2013, following a joint investigation by Channel 4 Dispatches, The Times and The Sunday Times. He has denied all accusations against him.

Following the investigation's release, the Metropolitan Police received a further report of an alleged sexual assault in 2003, in the wake of further allegations about the star.

los angeles, ca december 03 singer katy perry l and actor russell brand attend the 3rd annual change begins within benefit celebration presented by the david lynch foundation held at lacma on december 3, 2011 in los angeles, california photo by michael bucknerwireimage
Michael Buckner//Getty Images
Russell Brand pictured with his ex-wife Katy Perry in 2011.

Following the complaints levied against the Forgetting Sarah Marshall actor, YouTube suspended his channel from making money. The Google-owned platform said it was taking action ‘to protect’ its users, and that Brand’s channel had been suspended from making money because it was ‘violating’ its ‘creator responsibility policy.’

‘If a creator's off-platform behaviour harms our users, employees or ecosystem, we take action,’ a YouTube spokesperson said in September.

Brand has a YouTube following of 6.7 million, where he posts videos in which he shares his thoughts on alternative therapies and anti-establishment politics.

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Naomi May
Digital Editor

Naomi May is a seasoned culture journalist and editor with over ten years’ worth of experience in shaping stories and building digital communities. After graduating with a First Class Honours from City University's prestigious Journalism course, Naomi joined the Evening Standard, where she worked across both the newspaper and website. She is now the Digital Editor at ELLE Magazine and has written features for the likes of The Guardian, Vogue, Vice and Refinery29, among many others. Naomi is also the host of the ELLE Collective book club.