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:

Claims the Macrons paid for a hit on Candace Owens are “deranged”, says lawyer Dec 18, 2025

Show notes

The Macrons' lawyer has told the BBC that claims the French president and his wife ordered the assassination of Candace Owens are "deranged".

The right-wing influencer first made the allegations in a tweet on 22 November which has now been viewed more than 44 million times.

In the message labelled URGENT, Owens wrote that she was contacted by what she described as “a high-ranking employee of the French Government,” who allegedly warned her that the Macrons had “executed upon and paid for my assassination."

She has since reiterated the claims - recently in an interview with Russell Brand.

In a statement to the BBC's Fame under Fire podcast, Tom Clare said: "This deranged allegation is right out of Ms. Owens’ playbook. We’re not going to dignify it with a response beyond noting that it does further and fit her pattern of reckless and irresponsible defamation of our clients."

Candace Owens has also been meeting with Charlie Kirk’s widow this week after promoting theories about his death to her millions of followers.

In an interview with CBS, Erika Kirk had asked people making “unfounded claims” regarding his assassination to “just stop”.

Host Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and Will Sommer, senior journalist with The Bulwark, look into the story and discuss the podcaster's influence in US politics.

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. Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Vicky Farncombe Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith Production Coordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross Technical Producer: Richard Hannaford Editor: Clare Fordham Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Blake V Justin: Slow dancing, circumcision and famous pals Dec 11, 2025

Show notes

Two major developments in the epic legal saga between former co-stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.

Lively has responded to Baldoni’s attempt to block the case from going to trial, arguing that a jury should decide.

And Baldoni’s sworn deposition has been released. We hear how he responds to her allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation - claims he denies.

Host Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and resident trial attorney Shaun Kent discuss power dynamics, why circumcision appears in the legal filings, and how a slow dance montage could be key.

The trial was due to begin in March but has now been pushed back to May because the judge has two criminal trials to oversee.

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. Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Vicky Farncombe Impact Producer: Sophie Millward Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith Production Coordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross Technical Producer: Richard Hannaford Editor: Clare Fordham Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

New Diddy Documentary: Allegations and Unseen Footage Dec 04, 2025

Show notes

The lawyers for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs have called the Netflix four-part series into his life “a shameful hit piece” that relied on “stolen footage”.

Produced by Combs’ longtime rival 50 Cent, the documentary includes never-before-seen clips from the days leading up to his arrest, alongside interviews with individuals alleging abuse - claims Combs denies.

In July, he was convicted on two charges of transportation to engage in prostitution but found not guilty of the most serious charges - racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking of two ex-girlfriends.

Netflix insists the footage was “legally obtained” and says the series is “not a hit piece or an act of retribution”.

Host Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty joins Rolling Stone’s senior investigations reporter Cheyenne Roundtree to unpack the allegations and the battle over unseen footage.

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. Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Vicky Farncombe Impact Producer: Daniel Raza Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith Production Coordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards Editor: Clare Fordham Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Blake v Justin: Could the Case Be Tossed Out? Nov 27, 2025

Show notes

Justin Baldoni has asked the judge to throw out Blake Lively’s lawsuit against him.

The former co-stars have been locked in a bitter feud since she sued him last December, accusing him of sexual harassment and waging a smear campaign against her. Claims he has denied.

The latest development is that Baldoni’s legal team is asking the judge to grant a summary judgment, which would dismiss the case.

Host Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and resident trial attorney Shaun Kent examine Baldoni’s arguments in more detail.

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. Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Vicky Farncombe Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith Production Coordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards Editor: Clare Fordham Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Kim Kardashian Vs Ray J: Sex tape and defamation Nov 20, 2025

Show notes

Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner are suing R&B singer Ray J for defamation over “racketeering” claims, which they have called blatantly false.

Ray J’s called their lawsuit a “public relations charade” and is now countersuing them for breach of contract. He alleges they broke an agreement not to talk publicly anymore about the sex tape he made with Kim when they dated in 2003.

The Kardashians’ lawyer has called Ray J’s countersuit “frivolous”.

Host Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and resident trial attorney Shaun Kent look at the allegations made in the legal documents and analyse the case.

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. Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Vicky Farncombe Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith Production Coordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards Editor: Clare Fordham Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Trump, the BBC, and the $1bn threat Nov 13, 2025

Show notes

Why bring the case in Florida? Why $1bn, and how could the BBC defend itself from a defamation lawsuit?

Host Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and resident trial attorney Shaun Kent analyse US President Donald Trump’s threat of legal action against the BBC.

Trump told Fox News he had an "obligation" to sue the BBC over the way a section of his speech was edited in a Panorama documentary.

"They actually changed my January 6 speech, which was a beautiful speech, which was a very calming speech, and they made it sound radical,” he said.

"And they actually changed it. What they did was rather incredible."

BBC Chair Samir Shah has previously apologised for an "error of judgement" over the edit.

He said the BBC was considering how to respond to the legal threat.

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.

Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty

Series Producer: Vicky Farncombe

Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith

Production Coordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross

Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards

Editor: Lisa Baxter

Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller

Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland

Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale

Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Inside Rebel Wilson’s bombshell legal battle Nov 06, 2025

Show notes

Hollywood A-lister Rebel Wilson is embroiled in an explosive legal saga with the producers and lead actress of her directorial debut, The Deb.

It involves multiple lawsuits in Australia and the US and includes claims of defamation, sabotage and false imprisonment - as well as allegations of sexual misconduct and embezzlement. Host Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and resident trial attorney Shaun Kent analyse the key areas of the dispute.

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. Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Vicky Farncombe Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith Production Coordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards Editor: Clare Fordham Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

What will Diddy’s life be like after prison? Oct 30, 2025

Show notes

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has been told what conditions he must comply with when he is eventually released from jail.

The rap mogul was convicted of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution and acquitted on two other charges of sex trafficking and racketeering.

As well as serving a 50-month jail term, he also faces strict conditions on his release. He is appealing the conviction.

Host Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and resident trial attorney Shaun Kent discuss how difficult it will be for Diddy to stick to the rules of his probation order.

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.

Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty

Series Producer: Vicky Farncombe

Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith

Production Coordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross

Production Coordinator: Hattie Valentine

Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards

Editor: Clare Fordham

Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller

Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland

Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale

Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Molly-Mae, Bambi and the ‘Sharenting’ Grey Zone Oct 23, 2025

Show notes

Reality TV star Molly-Mae Hague has been getting some flak online for how much she shares about her two-year-old daughter. Clips from the Amazon Prime series, Behind It All, show toddler Bambi refusing to use the toilet, pooing in the bath and talking about biting her friends. Some viewers have said it makes them feel uncomfortable and that it is affecting Bambi’s privacy. The BBC asked Molly Mae for a comment but haven’t heard back. Previously, she told The Sun newspaper: “I have to manage it quite carefully. “When Bambi gets older, she’s going to have a really special video diary. Not all of it pretty, but it’s just magical that I’m able to do that.” Asked how her daughter might react to the bath poo incident, she said: “I think she’ll love it. To be honest with you, like I said before, it is quite hard to navigate because she obviously didn’t choose this life, but equally I think we are so grateful to have the life that we do. “And I think it’s me and Tommy (Bambi’s dad) just navigating our way through it and figuring out how it feels right for Bambi.” But are there legal risks to “sharenting”? And could there be a future where influencers’ children sue their parents? Host Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty discuss the legal grey zone with Claire Bessant, associate professor at Northumbria Law School, and US trial attorney Shaun Kent. 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. Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Vicky Farncombe Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith Production Coordinator: Tammy Snow Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards Editor: Clare Fordham Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Playboy Bunnies and a Sex Dungeon: Allegations Against US Trader Oct 16, 2025

Show notes

Retired New York financier Howard Rubin has been charged with sex trafficking multiple women, including Playboy models.

Prosecutors allege the women were sexually and physically assaulted in a Manhattan penthouse in a soundproofed room described as “The Dungeon”.

Rubin’s former assistant Jennifer Powers is charged as a co-conspirator.

They have both pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Host Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and resident trial attorney Shaun Kent assess the case and discuss why the prosecution have revealed the more shocking allegations in a letter recommending Rubin be denied bail.

This episode contains graphic descriptions of sexual and physical violence. If you are affected by anything in the programme, details of help and support are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.

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.

Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Vicky Farncombe Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith Production Coordinator: Tammy Snow Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards Editor: Clare Fordham Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Fame Under Fire: Russell Brand on Trial

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected