Female comedian 'bitterly disappointed' over Russell Brand allegations

18 September 2023 , 13:10

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Russell Brand allegations have left stand-up star Joanne McNally 'bitterly disappointed' (Image: @joannemcnally/Instagram)

A female comedian has emphasised her "bitter disappointment" in the wake of allegations of rape and sexual abuse made against comedian Russell Brand. Former Big Brother's Big Mouth host Brand vehemently denies the accusations, which were broadcast on Channel 4's Dispatches and published in The Times and The Sunday Times.

Addressing her 402,000 Instagram followers on Sunday (September 17), 40-year old McNally admitted: "It's bitterly disappointing when someone you admire, respect and whose work you enjoy - something comes out about them and you think 'I thought you were sound'. I've read all Russell's books - I loved them, but it is what it is."

The Irish stand-up then pondered whether Brand had deliberately took his career in a new direction away from the mainstream media, concerned such allegations would eventually come to light. Brand, 48, largely turned his back on appearances in film and television in 2014, instead establishing his own YouTube channel to "analyse the news truthfully and spontaneously".

McNally pondered if Brand moved away from the mainstream media to YouTube 'knowing what was in the pipeline' (Ella Byworth <[email protected]>)

McNally continued: "I wouldn't be shocked to learn if he did this whole rebrand into 'Truths' because he knew all this was coming down the pipeline for a very long time. Now he has a very seductive defence of himself. You're like 'Oh hold on, I want to think outside the box here. Is this an attack from mainstream media?' They don't care about him too much. Also if Andrew Tate is defending you I'd be like 'Dude take that down - I want nothing to do with you. You are Chernobyl-level toxic. You're making it worse'."

Former Big Brother contestant Tate was released from prison in Romania on house arrest back in April and has since been charged with rape, human trafficking and forming an organised crime group to sexually exploit women. His brother Tristan faces the same charges, allegations which they both deny.

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Tagging him on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday, 36-year old Tate threw his support behind Brand. "Welcome to the club @rustyrockets," he said, alongside a photo that included the caption of "on my way to fight the crazy b**** allegations."

*If you've been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999.

Alan Johnson