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Russell Brand is giving evidence for the first time in his trial over sexual assault and rape allegations on Wednesday.
The comedian faces prosecutors at Southwark Crown Court over claims he raped and sexually assaulted a series of women between 1999 and 2009.
On Tuesday, the court heard Brand had admitted to police about his “very promiscuous” lifestyle of kissing fans and sleeping with numerous women, but had always denied any non-consensual activity.
Jurors were told Brand, 51, had been quizzed quizzed by police four times between November 2023 and July 2023, and told detectives that sexual misconduct allegations first made in 2023 following an investigation by The Times, Sunday Times, and are “false”.
He is accused of three counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault, and on Tuesday an allegation of indecent assault was changed to a charge of attempted indecent assault. The trial continues.
Brand asked by his barrister about first accuser
Russell Brand stood up straight with his hands behind his back while giving evidence from the witness box.
He continued to project loudly to the court, as he answered each question with few words.
Defence barrister Ian Winter KC began asking Brand about the first alleged complainant, who alleges she was raped by the comedian after meeting him on the fringes of the Labour Party Conference in Bournemouth in 1999.
Asked if he remembered meeting the woman, Brand replied: “Yes.”
My entire life has been consumed by these allegations, Brand tells court
Brand told the court initially he could not remember any of the complainants but he has since recalled some of the events after more information has emerged in disclosure.
“My entire life has been consumed by these events, these allegations, these accusations and the impact of these allegations and the accusations,” he said.
“I have devoted myself to these matters.”
Brand says he was blocked from visiting son in hospital over allegations
Brand told the court he had been blocked from entering Great Ormond Street Hospital to be with his sick baby son after he had been publicly accused of rape.
“The reason given by Great Ormond Street Hospital when my son was receiving open heart surgery and subsequent treatment was due to the material published.
He said he was told “they had to bar my attendance and presence.
“They were unclear about what particular legal reason there was, but that was the reason they gave to my wife Laura and I.”
No one will give evidence on my behalf, Brand says
Brand told the jury the 2023 documentary, which alleged sexual misconduct, was “devastating”.
“Have you been able to persuade a single person with relevant evidence to come to give evidence on your behalf?,” Mr Winter asked him.
“I have not,” the comedian replied.
“Will they touch you with a barge pole?”, Mr Winter continued.“No,” Brand replied.
Marriage to Katy Perry brought me 'staggering fame', Brand says
Russell Brand was then asked if, by 2009, he was “really famous”, to which he replied he was.
Mr Winter then asked the defendant if he married “popular music singer” Katy Perry, with Brand responding: “Yes I did”, adding he met her “whenever the VMA awards” were.
Addressing his marriage to Ms Perry, Mr Winter asked Brand: “Did that bring about a sea of change in your life.”
After replying that it did, Mr Winter said: “Just in two words, how did it change?”
Brand replied loudly: “Staggering fame.”
Brand says he was not famous during late 90s and early 00s
Russell Brand said he was not famous in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Asked by his lawyer Ian Winter KC if he had appeared at the Soapbox Cabaret during the Labour Party conference fringe in Bournemouth in 1999, Brand said: “Yes.”
Mr Winter KC asked: “Were you famous at all at that point in time?”
Brand responded: “No.”
Mr Winter asked: “Were you famous in 2000?”
Brand said: “No.”
Brand tells court he denies allegations
Defence lawyer Ian Winter KC began by putting each of the alleged offences to his client.
Brand responded loudly "no" to each allegation, with his hands clasped behind his back.
Brand sworn in ahead of giving evidence to trial
Brand spoke loudly and clearly as he took the oath on the Bible and crossed himself afterwards.
Brand tells press today is 'day of truth and justice' as he arrives at court
Russell Brand told reporters that today is the day for “truth and justice” as he arrived at Southwark Crown Court for the latest day of his trial.
The 51-year-old held hands with his wife Laura Gallacher as he exited a black vehicle and approached the central London court.
Asked by reporters if he wanted to say anything, he said: “Due to the circumstances of the day I think it would be inappropriate for me to say anything other than I’m very grateful that today is the day for truth and justice.”
He added that “we are blessed that as of yet we have a system that can accommodate such things”.
Brand wore a navy suit with a white open neck shirt and a folded tie.
Breaking: Brand to give evidence at trial as defence begins
Russell Brand is set to take the stand on Wednesday morning at his trial at Southwark Crown Court.
Brand walked to the witness box and was sworn in just after 10am.
The comedian denies three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and a charge of attempted indecent assault.