Brand’s predatory behaviour was an open secret for many years, they told The i Paper – criticising TV commissioners who worked with him “despite known concerns”.

Female comedians say they have to ask others if certain men in the industry are safe to work with on the so-called “whisper network” of WhatsApp groups.

Some male stars are “not allowed to be left alone” with young women, said one comic, revealing the lack of proper HR procedures in the comedy world.

Brand was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday.

The jury heard how the 51-year preyed on women while becoming one of Britain’s best-known comedians, going on to become a star of TV, radio and Hollywood movies.

The WhatsApp groups warning of TV abusers

“Every woman in comedy knew about Brand’s reputation,” Kate Smurthwaite, comedian and activist, told The i Paper.

“I can’t put a finger on the first time I heard stories, because there are so many people I have been warned about or heard negative stories about over the years.”

Smurthwaite believes comedy bookers and TV commissioners worked with him “despite known concerns”.

Some even appeared to take “delight in his reputation as outrageous and reveled in his anecdotes – some of which in hindsight sound more like confessions”, she added.

But inappropriate behaviour among male comedians was far more widespread than Brand, she said.

“I’m still in five or six WhatsApp groups where women warn each other about men in the industry,” said Smurthwaite. “I think that will persist, but I don’t think it’s really a solution. The whole culture needs to change.”

‘Why is it always women that have to speak out?’

Speaking about the so-called “whisper network”, one high-profile female comedian told The i Paper that women in comedy “feel this responsibility to look after each other because it’s been such an unregulated industry”.

The star said women regularly discussed men in the industry “with rumours around them”, adding: “There is male talent that who are not allowed to be left alone with young women.”

She added: “Why is it always women that have to speak out? I want men to answer the difficult questions. Men in the industry need to know it’s their problem too – they need to call it out and raise it with employers.”

A decade on from the MeToo movement, there is still unease about misogyny and sexual harassment in the comedy world, and fear of complaining because of the risk of being viewed as a troublemaker.

“TV attracts a lot of good people,” said the high-profile comic. “But it’s not quite like other industry when it comes to HR and disciplinary action, when you’re dealing with talent. I hope TV can change.”

Smurthwaite added: “I do think big organisations that run clubs and TV and radio shows might ask themselves whether the people booking acts for them are exercising good judgement.

“Ultimately, Russell Brand is the tip of a very large iceberg that runs through not just entertainment but the whole of our culture.”

Rosie Wilby, comedian and author, told The i Paper that “sexism and sexual harassment” was “not a thing of the past” in the industry – though things have improved over the years due to more diversity.

“We can’t be complacent about trying to make things better, because there’s been a laziness about someone like Russell Brand being allowed to hide in plain sight,” she added.

Women speak ‘privately and quietly’ to avoid attacks

Comedy star Katherine Ryan said she feels “grief and relief” after Brand was convicted, and that she was “in awe of the survivors who also had nothing to gain” by speaking out against him.

Ryan previously claimed in an interview with Louis Theroux that there was a “predator” in the entertainment industry. It was widely speculated she was referring to her time on Comedy Central’s in 2018 alongside Brand.

Speaking on her podcast, Ryan said: “Today there are a lot of women speaking, like the way we always do, privately and quietly, the way we’ve learned to do, to avoid being attacked and to keep each other safe, and a lot of those women feel a very nuanced mix of emotions today.”

Katy Brand also shared her feelings on Instagram following the Brand verdict. “It is hard to convey how all powerful this piece of s*** was for a while,” she wrote, revealing her disgust at how he was able to “dominate” British entertainment for so long.

Brand said she had “so many meetings I had where I pitched shows and was told there needed to be a part for him or they wouldn’t be interested”, adding: “Practically every pitch meeting available was to one of his enablers for a while.”

BBC accused of ‘enabling’ Brand

Former BBC radio DJ Liz Kershaw accused the corporation of being among those who “enabled Brand’s behaviour”. The BBC has said “there can be no place for the abuse of power” as it reiterated its public apology following Brand’s conviction.

A January 2025 report by the BBC had looked at eight allegations of misconduct that had been made against Brand while he worked there between 2006 and 2008.

Brand quit Radio 2 in 2008 following the “Sachsgate” scandal, in which he and Jonathan Ross left sexually explicit messages on actor Andrew Sachs’s answerphone.

He had also boasted to a Radio 2 newsreader of his sexual fantasies about her on air, and exposed himself in the studio while urinating in a bottle.

Brand also worked with Channel 4, which gave him his big TV break in 2004 when he began hosting . On Thursday he was found guilty of sexually assaulting a Channel 4 worker during a forced massage in 2009.

He was also found guilty of groping a MTV worker during a party at a Soho bar in 2004, sexually assaulting a Capital Radio worker in 2005, and anally raping a 21-year-old fan after meeting her at a 2009 stand-up show.

He was cleared of two counts of rape and one indecent assault.

Brand was told by the judge that he faces a “significant” prison sentence.