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.

Subscribe to Fame Under Fire on BBC Sounds and turn on push notifications so you never miss an episode. We’ll let you know as soon as new episodes are available.

Latest Episodes:

The New Celebrity Lawyers: When Social Media Meets the Courtroom Jul 02, 2026

Show notes

Fame Under Fire's resident trial attorney Shaun Kent is in the UK!

He joins Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty in the London studio to discuss one of the biggest shifts taking place in the legal world: the growing influence of social media on criminal trials. From celebrity cases to viral courtroom moments, they explore how online audiences are changing the way lawyers, juries and the public engage with the justice system.

Shaun talks about becoming the subject of global online attention during one of his own recent murder trials, and how social media affected both the courtroom and his personal life.

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

Kanye Model Assault Allegations: Your Questions Jun 25, 2026

Show notes

Your comments and questions following our exclusive interview with the actress Jen Ann, who accuses Kanye West of sexually assaulting her.

She filed a civil lawsuit in 2024. Kanye’s lawyers don't deny it happened, but they say it was art and that Jen consented to it.

Our resident trial attorney Shaun Kent and Anoushka answer your questions - from why Jen Ann could file after 14 years, to why Kanye's team is questioning if he even knew Jen was a woman.

Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Louise Clarke Produced by Jim Frank & Ivana Davidovic 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: Witnesses to Take the Stand Jun 18, 2026

Show notes

The timetable in the criminal case against D4vd has changed following the latest court hearing.

David Anthony Burke has pleaded not guilty to all charges relating to the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The preliminary hearing, where prosecutors seek to establish probable cause, has been delayed.

The hearing is also expected to include witness scheduling, meaning testimony could form part of the proceedings before any trial begins. The delay pushes back the wider court process while prosecutors and defence lawyers continue preparing their cases.

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

Kanye Sexually Assaulted Me, Says Model, but He Says It’s Art Jun 10, 2026

Show notes

Jennifer An, a former contestant on America’s Next Top Model, alleges Kanye West, now known as Ye, assaulted her during filming for a La Roux music video in New York in 2010. She is now suing the rapper.

Diddy’s Leaked Tape Controversy and Appeal Jun 04, 2026

Show notes

An alleged sex tape linked to Sean “Diddy” Combs spread rapidly online as Diddy’s lawyers appeal his sentence.

Sean “Diddy” Combs is asking the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan to overturn prostitution-related convictions, reduce his sentence or order his immediate release from prison.

Defence lawyers argue the jury acquitted him of the most serious allegations, while prosecutors continue to point to evidence of violence and coercion presented during the trial.

Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and Shaun Kent discuss questions around leaked evidence, intimate recordings and the judge’s remarks at sentencing.

Got questions? Send us a Whatsapp message on 0330 678 111 4. Subscribe to Fame Under Fire on BBC Sounds and turn on push notifications so you never miss an episode. We’ll let you know as soon as new episodes are available.

Details of help and support in the UK with sexual, or domestic abuse is 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: Nicky Edwards Editor: Clare Fordham Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Drake, D4vd and the cases still to come May 28, 2026

Show notes

Missed some of the biggest celebrity legal stories? A catch-up takes in Drake v UMG, with questions around rap, art and the First Amendment, and a refresher on the D4vd trial. D4vd has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

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: Craig Boardman Editor: Clare Fordham Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Drake v UMG: Why the Not Like Us Lawsuit Isn't Over May 21, 2026

Show notes

Drake's lawsuit against Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar's Not Like Us was dismissed, but the legal battle is continuing after Drake appealed the ruling.

New amicus briefs have brought more voices into the dispute, with arguments around artistic expression, rap music in courtrooms and First Amendment protections.

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: Craig Boardman Editor: Clare Fordham Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

D4vd: Preliminary Hearing Pushed Back May 13, 2026

Show notes

D4vd returned to court for a status hearing amid discovery delays and the huge volume of evidence in the case.

The singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, faces charges including murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful dismemberment of human remains. The preliminary hearing has now been delayed until 29 June.

D4vd has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

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

D4vd: Prosecutors Reveal New Evidence Claims May 07, 2026

Show notes

A delayed preliminary hearing in the case against D4vd brings new scrutiny after prosecutors publicly filed a briefing document laying out their allegations.

The filing includes claims relating to grooming, text messages, digital evidence, travel records and purchases prosecutors say connect to the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

D4vd has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

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

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni settle lawsuit May 05, 2026

Show notes

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have reached a settlement in their legal dispute linked to the movie It Ends With Us, ending proceedings two weeks before a trial due to begin on 18 May. A federal judge had already dismissed 10 of 13 claims, including sexual harassment, defamation, and civil conspiracy, leaving claims for retaliation, aiding and abetting retaliation, and breach of contract, to proceed. A joint statement released on 4 May refers to workplace standards and the film’s impact. No further details of the settlement have been made public, and both parties issued the same wording. Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Louise Clarke Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart Smith Researcher: Helena Warwick-Cross Technical Producer: Cameron Ward Editor: Clare Fordham Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

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