Leigh Francis has spoken out about Russell Brand, after the comic was accused of multiple sexual assaults.
The 48-year-old has vehemently denied the allegations, which came to light after a joint investigation by The Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches.
In the initial article and documentary, four women claimed that they had been assaulted by Brand between 2006 and 2013.
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Reportedly happening at the height of his fame, one victim also accused him of emotionally and physically abusing her.
In another shocking allegation, a woman claimed she had been just sixteen years old at the time of her assault, while the Get Him To The Greek star was in his thirties.
The former comic has also been accused of raping a third woman at his Los Angeles home, with a fourth woman claiming that she was threatened with legal action if spoke about the allegations.
In the weeks following this, Met Police have confirmed they received additional allegations about Brand and urged others to come forward.
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As the controversy continues, comic Leigh Francis said that it was ‘saddening’ – even for Band.
The 50-year-old, who is best known for his alter ego Keith Lemon, told the MailOnline: “I promised myself I wouldn’t comment on it – it’s just sad, isn’t it? It’s a saddening thing for everyone.”
Continuing, he added: “It’s sad for the ladies, it’s sad for his family and it’s sad for him.”
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Meanwhile, Brand continues to deny the allegations in a YouTube video.
He told viewers: "I've received two extremely disturbing letters or a letter and an email. One from a mainstream media TV company, one from a newspaper listing a litany of extremely egregious and aggressive attacks, as well as some pretty stupid stuff like my community festival should be stopped, that I shouldn't be able to attack mainstream media narratives on this channel.
"But amidst this litany of astonishing rather baroque attacks, are some very serious allegations that I absolutely refute.”
He then added: "These allegations pertain to the time when I was working in the mainstream, when I was in the newspapers all the time, when I was in the movies. As I've written about extensively in my books, I was very, very promiscuous.”
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LADbible has reached out to Brand for comment regarding the allegations.
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact The Survivor’s Trust for free on 08088 010 818, or through their website thesurvivorstrust.org
Topics: Russell Brand, TV and Film, Celebrity
Katherine Sidnell