A BRAND NEW LOW

The slew of violent sexual assault accusations against comedian Russell Brand is no laughing matter

- MAXINE PETERS

MANY British performers battle to get a foot in the Hollywood door as the world’s biggest entertainment empire remains an impenetrable fortress. But once in a while, someone gets it right – and Russell Brand, with his flowing locks, jet-black eyeliner and Essex accent was Tinseltown gold for a while.

He appeared in movies such as Get Him to the Greek and Forgetting Sarah Marshall, raked in millions, and married pop superstar Katy Perry.

But for years there were disturbing rumours of misogyny, sexual harassment and abuse – and when his marriage to Katy imploded a decade ago, something she said hinted at the sinister. “I felt a lot of responsibility for the marriage ending], but then I found out the real truth,” she said. “I let go and I was like, ‘This isn’t because of me; this is beyond me’.”

She’s never said what exactly happened but the dark rumours that had long bubbled under the surface recently exploded in a series of shocking allegations that have dimmed whatever star quality he may have left.

A year-long investigation by the UK’s The Sunday Times, The Times of London and current affairs show Channel 4 Dispatches culminated in the recent airing of a documentary in which four women claim Russell sexually harassed or raped them.

In the days that followed, more women came forward to allege the comedian and actor turned conspiracy theorist had assaulted them.

Russell (48) – who has in past comedy routines joked about raping women, laughed on radio about exposing himself and wrote about coercing a woman into having sex – has denied the allegations.

He admits he was “very, very promiscuous” over the years, but maintains all his relationships were consensual. Yet more and more doors are being shut in his face.