On trial for rape, Russell Brand is still delivering hour-long podcasts in his pyjamas

On trial for rape, Russell Brand is still delivering hour-long podcasts in his pyjamas The defendant joked in a podcast with his wife about being told to do his shirt up during the first week of his trial - Bookmark Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in In the midst of a major criminal trial charged with a string of rape and sexual assault allegations, most celebrities keep their heads down until their moment in the witness box, if they choose to give evidence. But Russell Brand and his wife, Laura Gallacher, have so far punctuated his own trial with weekly episodes of their religious podcast, Sunday Service with the Brands. And, far from shying away from the thorny issue of the multiple rape allegations currently being litigated at Southwark Crown Court, they have chosen to discuss their experience in the “eye of the storm” and in the “aquarium dock” of courtroom three. After the first week of evidence, in which the prosecution labelled him a “manipulative” sexual predator as they opened their case, the comedian joked about being told to do his shirt up. The former Big Brother’s Big Mouth presenter and Hollywood actor denies three charges of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one allegation of indecent assault in alleged attacks against six women as he rose to fame between 1999 and 2009. The couple were sitting in their pyjamas in the window seat of their riverside UK base near Henley-on-Thames for this Sunday’s hour-long episode, with their cat called Jericho completing the homely family set-up. The title sequence sets the scene further, with quaint violin music playing them in to a backdrop of silhouetted doves and olive branches. Brand, 51, wearing a leopard print dressing gown, quickly addresses the elephant in the room. “We are of course in the middle of a very, very unusual time in our marriage and for legal reasons which you be aware of if you follow what I would call old media, traditional media, at some points I would call it corrupt media, hypocritical media, deceptive - empire media, that’s the term,” he said. “If you follow empire media you will be aware that, of course, we as a family and me in particular are in a situation that requires the authenticity and authority of true justice and for that reason we will be extremely cautious in any way we refer to the trial so that truth and justice are served for everyone involved.” He followed this up with a prayer, with their heads bowed, for God to “guard” his lips and help him not to say anything “clumsy”, before turning to his wife and asking wryly: “So, how was your week?” The couple complimented each other’s court outfits, with Brand telling Ms Gallacher, 39, who has attended several days of the trial: “You have looked absolutely beautiful and spectacular.” She responded “oh you have looked wonderful too”, before he looked down at his gaping dressing gown and admitted he had received some criticism for not doing up his shirt. The Get him to the Greek star also spoke of the activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who is standing trial at the same court this week over the alleged harassment of two journalists, which he denies. The couple said they had been warned of high levels of media interest in Robinson’s trial and the potential for protest activity outside court. Ms Gallacher, who shares three children with Brand, said she “gets nervous” on the approach to the central London courtroom, which is off Battlebridge Lane. “So as I see when you're coming round the corner you see the name on the street I immediately start to think OK this is it now, this is it, right get into shape get into your strength,” she said, later adding that the couple prayed or read psalms on the journey. In the previous week’s episode, she described walking into court as being in the “eye of the storm” as the couple were greeted with a crowd of photographers and media who were “absolutely silent”. Brand, meanwhile, said the while he is sitting the “aquarium dock”, he is reminded of his faith, adding: “In a situation like I am in, it's impossible not to turn to God, truth and justice.” Brand, who is originally from Essex but now lives in Florida, was baptised in the River Thames by TV survivalist Bear Grylls in 2024 and has spoken publicly about his Christian faith. They started their Sunday Service podcast in May this year, in which they discuss Christianity, spirituality and their lives in weekly episodes filled with Bible readings and prayer. Brand stands accused of three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one of indecent assault in alleged attacks against six women between 1999 and 2009. He denies all charges. The trial continues.