Fame Under Fire: Russell Brand on Trial

Fame Under Fire is at Southwark Crown Court for the trial of comedian, actor and broadcaster Russell Brand.

Brand faces seven sexual offence charges involving six women: three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. The alleged offences date from 1999 to 2009.

He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Under UK court reporting rules, cameras and recording device are not allowed inside the courtroom. For Fame Under Fire, Russell Brand on Trial, Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty will take you inside the case another way. Every day we’ll bring you updates on what the jury hears, with expert analysis of what is happening and the law behind the case.

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Latest Episodes:

Tupac: What might happen at Opening Statements? Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

Opening statements are about to begin in the Tupac Shakur murder trial in Las Vegas, nearly 30 years after the rapper was shot dead.

Duane “Keffe D” Davis has pleaded not guilty to murder and denies the allegations against him.

Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and Fame under Fire’s resident trial attorney Shaun Kent break down what each side needs to achieve in its opening statement, why Davis’s own past words could become central to the prosecution case, and what clues the defence may give about its strategy.

For Fame Under Fire: The Tupac Murder Trial Anoushka will be in the Las Vegas courtoom every day to bring you updates. Make sure you lock in so you don’t miss a thing.

Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Louise Clarke Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart Smith Digital Journalist: Daniel Raza Production coordinator: Phoebe Lomas Technical Producer: Cameron Ward Editor: Clare Fordham Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Tupac: Picking the Jury Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

Jury selection begins in the Tupac Shakur murder trial.

Nearly 30 years after Tupac was fatally shot in Las Vegas, Duane “Keffe D” Davis is the only person ever charged in connection with his death. Davis has entered a not guilty plea and denies all charges.

Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty is joined by Fame Under Fire’s resident trial attorney Shaun Kent to explain how lawyers try to find 12 fair and impartial people for one of America’s most high-profile cold cases.

Anoushka will be in Las Vegas as the trial gets underway, bringing daily updates from court, the testimony, arguments, key moments and legal analysis.

Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Louise Clarke Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart Smith Digital Journalist: Leona Gasper Researcher: Helena Warwick-Cross Production coordinator: Phoebe Lomas Technical Producer: Richard Hanniford Editor: Clare Fordham Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Tupac: All You Need to Know Aug 06, 2026

Show notes

Nearly 30 years after Tupac Shakur was fatally shot on the Las Vegas Strip, Nevada prosecutors are preparing for the trial of the only person ever charged in connection with the rapper’s death. Duane “Keffe D” Davis has pleaded not guilty to murder and denies the allegations against him. But Keffe D is not accused of firing the fatal shots. So how can prosecutors seek to convict him of murder? And why was he arrested in 2023, decades after investigators first suspected he was in the car? Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and Fame under Fire’s resident trial attorney Shaun Kent break down everything you need to know before the trial. Could Suge Knight testify? Could Sean “Diddy” Combs be drawn into the case? For Fame Under Fire: The Tupac Murder Trial Anoushka will be in the Las Vegas courtoom every day to bring you updates. Make sure you lock in so you don’t miss a thing.

Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Louise Clarke Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart Smith Digital Journalist: Daniel Raza Researcher: Helena Warwick-Cross Production coordinator: Phoebe Lomas Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards Editor: Clare Fordham Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

D4vd Preliminary Hearing: Wrap-up Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

Fame Under Fire’s resident trial attorney Shaun Kent talks to Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty about the legal questions raised by the D4vd preliminary hearing. Includes some disturbing content that some listeners and viewers may find distressing. Shaun and Anoushka examine possible strategies the defence could use at trial and whether D4vd could enter a plea. The singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, is charged with murder, unlawful dismemberment and continuous sexual abuse of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose body was found decomposing in the front trunk of a Tesla linked to him. David has pleaded not guilty and denies all charges. If you’ve been affected by anything in this episode and you’re in the UK, details of organisations that can provide help and support are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline. Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Louise Clarke Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart Smith Digital Journalist: Leona Gasper Researcher: Helena Warwick-Cross Production coordinator: Phoebe Lomas Technical Producer: Cameron Ward Editor: Clare Fordham Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

D4vd Preliminary Hearing: Day Five Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

D4vd is ordered to stand trial for murder after a judge finds probable cause on all charges and three special circumstances. The court hears closing arguments over the final text messages, the alleged timeline of Celeste’s death and the strength of the forensic evidence. Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty is joined by reporter Sam Mulick, who has been inside court throughout the hearing. There are graphic descriptions and disturbing content that some listeners and viewers may find distressing. Fame Under Fire brings you the latest from inside the Los Angeles courtroom at the D4vd preliminary hearing. The singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, is charged with murder, unlawful dismemberment and continuous sexual abuse of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose body was found decomposing in the front trunk of a Tesla linked to him. D4vd has pleaded not guilty and denies all charges.

If you’ve been affected by anything in this episode and you’re in the UK, details of organisations that can provide help and support are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.

Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Louise Clarke Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart Smith Digital Journalist: Daniel Raza Researcher: Helena Warwick-Cross Production coordinator: Phoebe Lomas Technical Producer: Cameron Ward Editor: Clare Fordham Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

D4vd Preliminary Hearing: Day Four Jul 25, 2026

Show notes

Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty is joined by reporter Sam Mulick, who explains the medical examiner’s findings, sexually explicit material allegedly recovered from D4vd’s phone, messages about Celeste’s pregnancy and abortion, and plans for her to leave her family home.

This programme contains graphic descriptions, references to child sexual abuse and other disturbing content that some listeners may find distressing.

Fame Under Fire brings you the latest from inside the Los Angeles courtroom at the D4vd preliminary hearing. The singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, is charged with murder, unlawful dismemberment and continuous sexual abuse of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose body was found decomposing in the front trunk of a Tesla linked to him.

David Burke has pleaded not guilty and denies all charges.

Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Louise Clarke Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart Smith Digital Journalist: Leona Gasper Researcher: Helena Warwick-Cross Production coordinator: Phoebe Lomas Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards Editor: Clare Fordham Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

D4vd Preliminary Hearing: Day Three Jul 24, 2026

Show notes

DNA consistent with Celeste is found at 11 locations in D4vd’s Tesla and garage, as the court hears initial evidence from the medical examiner’s office. There are some graphic descriptions and disturbing content that some listeners and viewers may find distressing. Fame Under Fire brings you the latest from inside the Los Angeles courtroom at the D4vd preliminary hearing. The singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, is charged with murder, unlawful dismemberment and continuous sexual abuse of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose body was found decomposing in the front trunk of a Tesla linked to him. Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty is joined by reporter Sam Mulick, who explains the DNA evidence, the examination of a cut inflatable pool and the records tracking a phone and Tesla to Santa Barbara. David Burke has pleaded not guilty and denies all charges.

Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Louise Clarke Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart Smith Digital Journalist: Leona Gasper Researcher: Helena Warwick-Cross Production coordinator: Phoebe Lomas Technical Producer: Cameron Ward Editor: Clare Fordham Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

D4vd Preliminary Hearing: Day Two Jul 23, 2026

Show notes

Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty brings you the latest from inside the courtroom for day two of D4vd’s preliminary hearing.

There are some graphic descriptions and disturbing content that some listeners and viewers may find distressing. The court is told how Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s ID was found beside a highway, while investigators describe possible blood evidence in a Tesla and garage linked to the singer. The court also hears details of D4vd’s multi-million-dollar recording and endorsement deals, and tensions are rising between the prosecution and defence. Burke has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His attorneys say the evidence will show that he did not murder Celeste and was not the cause of her death.

Fame Under Fire will be following the D4vd preliminary hearing from inside the Los Angeles courtroom, with daily reporting, legal analysis and the latest developments.

If you’ve been affected by anything in this episode and you’re in the UK, details of organisations that can provide help and support are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.

Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Louise Clarke Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart Smith Digital Journalist: Leona Gasper Researcher: Helena Warwick-Cross Production coordinator: Phoebe Lomas Technical Producer: Cameron Ward Editor: Clare Fordham Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

D4vd Preliminary Hearing: Day One Jul 22, 2026

Show notes

Fame Under Fire is inside the courtroom for day one of the preliminary hearing involving singer d4vd, whose real name is David Burke.

Our reporter joins Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty from the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles as prosecutors begin presenting the evidence they say supports charges of murder, unlawful dismemberment and continuous sexual abuse in connection with the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

Burke has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His attorneys say the evidence will show that he did not murder Celeste and was not the cause of her death.

Fame Under Fire will be following the D4vd preliminary hearing from inside the Los Angeles courtroom, with daily reporting, legal analysis and the latest developments.

If you’ve been affected by anything in this episode and you’re in the UK, details of organisations that can provide help and support are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.

Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Louise Clarke Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart Smith Digital Journalist: Leona Gasper Researcher: Helena Warwick-Cross Production coordinator: Phoebe Lomas Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards Editor: Clare Fordham Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Live at the Crossed Wires Festival 2026 Jul 07, 2026

Show notes

Recorded at the 2026 Crossed Wires festival Anoushka and resident trial attorney Shaun Kent explore how social media is transforming the courtroom.

They discuss the growing influence of social media on juries, lawyers, and public opinion, and answer questions from the audience. Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Louise Clarke Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart Smith Digital Journalist: Daniel Raza Researcher: Helena Warwick-Cross Production coordinator: Phoebe Lomas Technical Producer: Richard Hannaford Editor: Clare Fordham Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

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