Russell Brand's concerns are 'not sufficiently taken into account'

Informal concerns raised about Russell Brand while he hosted Big Brother spin-off programs were "not properly reported nor adequately addressed", according to the investigation findings.

The comedian and actor fronted shows such as Big Brother's Big Mouth and Big Brother's Celebrity Hijack on Channel 4 between 2004 and 2008.

An investigation by production company Banijay UK found officials were alerted to allegations he asked staff to obtain the numbers from members of the public and that his behavior made female team members feel uncomfortable or intimidated.

However, no formal complaints 'was filed and the concerns were not raised, he said.

Banijay said: "We are extremely sorry for everyone who was affected by this behavior and felt unable to speak out or that their voice was not properly heard."

In September Last year, Brand was charged with rape, assault and psychological abuse as part of an investigation by Channel 4's Dispatches, The Times and Sunday Times.

He has strongly denied the allegations, saying his relationships have "always" been consensual.

The Sunday Times report quoted a former television researcher as saying that Brand's pursuit of audience members for sexual purposes had been reported to production managers, but their concerns had been dismissed.

According to the newspaper, the researcher said a talent manager told them: "That's what happens with talent. Boys will be boys. It's not no big deal."

Banijay, who bought Big Brother producer Endemol Shine in 2020, is one of several broadcasters to have investigated to find out whether complaints had been made regarding Brand's behavior during his employment.

Banijay asked law firm Lewis Silkin LLP to lead the investigation.< /p>

Lewis Silkin's head of investigations, Karen Baxter, concluded: “No formal complaints were made against Brand during the programs. .

"There were, however, concerns about Brand's behavior which were raised informally with senior staff, particularly regarding his asking riders to obtain the phone numbers of members of the public and female crew members feeling uncomfortable or intimidated by his behavior while working in Bristol in 2004/ 2005.

"These concerns have not been properly reported or adequately addressed. "

The investigation into Banijay revealed that Brand allegedly had sexual relations with certain spectators and staff members, and that these were "consensual", he said.

Producers knew he was "a recovering drug addict with a reputation for 'edgy'" but "no action." "No special protection was put in place to protect Brand, those who worked with him or those who came into contact with him," including the public, he said.

Patrick Holland, managing director of Banijay UK, said: "Industry protocols, duty of care and behavioral expectations have improved significantly in recent years and continue to be reviewed and gradually updated on a regular basis."

A Channel 4 spokesperson said: "We thank Banijay for his thorough investigation and have noted its findings."

In March, Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon apologized to a former employee after the channel's own statement. An internal investigation found it failed to investigate a “serious” complaint made against Brand in 2009.