Lorraine Kelly has recalled an uncomfortable encounter with Russell Brand during a television appearance in 2007, when the comedian touched her thigh and made a derogatory remark about her.
The television presenter discussed the incident in 2023 on her ITV chat show, following the release of a Dispatches documentary examining allegations of rape and sexual assault against Brand.
Kelly was reflecting on her appearance alongside Brand on The Graham Norton Show, where the comedian made a series of remarks after being asked about his film career.
During the exchange, Brand touched Kelly’s thigh and exclaimed: “You’re wearing suspenders, Jesus Christ! I’ve taken off more than I can chew. I’m out of my depth.”
Although Kelly and host Graham Norton laughed at the comments, Brand continued with another remark, saying: “Yes, I have been in other films but it doesn’t seem so important now I know Lorraine Kelly’s a s**t.”
Presenter Admits She Would Have Reacted Differently Looking Back
Discussing the footage years later, Kelly admitted that although she laughed along during the programme, she felt uncomfortable about the interaction when watching it again.
She explained that she had encountered Brand several times throughout his years in the public eye and had generally experienced his charming and flirtatious side.
“I interviewed him a lot over that time when he was in the public eye,” she said.
“I usually got the charming Russell, the flirty Russell but I have been doing this a long time and I would like to think there was a tiny bit of respect there, maybe. Although this happened.”
After the footage was shown, Kelly acknowledged that the exchange was difficult to watch in retrospect.
“That’s uncomfortable to watch now, it absolutely is. Obviously, for the record, I was not wearing suspenders at all,” she said.
She added that both she and Brand had laughed at the time, explaining that she might have challenged his behaviour if the incident happened today.
“It’s difficult looking back on it, and now I probably would have said something, but it’s an entertainment show, that was his shtick,” she said.
Vanessa Feltz Recalls Brand’s Comments About Her Daughters
Kelly is not the only television personality to have spoken about feeling uncomfortable during an encounter with Brand.
Vanessa Feltz has previously described the comedian as intimidating and recalled an unsettling interview with him on his MTV programme, 1 Leicester Square, in 2006.
During the appearance, Brand repeatedly asked whether he could have sex with Feltz or either of her two daughters.
The conversation initially appeared to be treated as banter, but Feltz became increasingly uncomfortable as Brand continued making the remarks.
At one point, he asked: “Can I have it off with either you or your daughters?”
Feltz responded firmly: “No, you may not.”
Brand continued with another suggestion, prompting Feltz to reply: “All three at once? Absolutely not.”
The comedian responded: “Damn, she’s always one step ahead.”
Feltz Becomes Increasingly Serious During Interview
Brand continued pressing the subject, telling Feltz that some of her daughters were adults.
However, she reminded him that she had two daughters and insisted that her answer was no.
When Brand asked whether neither daughter was an option, Feltz replied: “Neither,” before adding: “Will you stop it.”
He then joked that she was being selfish by refusing to let him have a relationship with either daughter.
Feltz responded: “When you have your own daughters, you’ll know why I said that.”
Brand replied: “Well I won’t sleep with them.”
Feltz responded: “I’m not sure about that,” before Brand insisted that his comments were only jokes.
“I’m only mucking about, I’m not actually going to sleep with my own kids.
It’s only a joke. It’s only words,” he said.
The footage has resurfaced online following Brand’s conviction.
Feltz Describes Brand as Ruthless and Intimidating
Feltz has spoken about the encounter on several occasions, including interviews with The Guardian, Good Morning Britain and This Morning.
Speaking to The Guardian in 2024, she said she and Brand had initially got along well but admitted that his behaviour during the MTV interview had left her deeply uncomfortable.
She also recalled being impressed by his charisma and ability to entertain audiences.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Feltz explained that she had found him fascinating as a presenter but was disturbed by his comments about her daughters.
“I was quite friendly with him. I found him vastly entertaining.
I was absolutely mesmerised by the stream of words, the charisma. I’d never seen a presenter anything like him,” she said.
She continued: “He just announced, in this unbelievably dispassionate way, that he would like to have sex with me and both my daughters.
The younger one was 15 at the time.”
Feltz said she could not pretend to find the comments amusing, adding that she did not believe they were simply jokes.
“I realised then that there was something extremely chilling about him.
Something very ruthless and a bit scary and intimidating,” she said.
She also claimed that Brand appeared to relish having power over women, particularly those who did not want to have sex with him.
Old Katy Perry Interview Footage Also Resurfaces
Another video involving Brand has resurfaced following his conviction, showing an uncomfortable exchange with his former wife, singer Katy Perry, during an interview on the Oscars red carpet in 2010.
The pair were speaking to a GMTV reporter about the ceremony when Perry playfully suggested that Brand had not been watching the event.
Brand disagreed and subsequently reprimanded her for swearing.
He then held up a small card bearing the word “Obey” towards the camera before abruptly walking away, leaving Perry to complete the interview alone.
The card was associated with a clothing brand, although some social media users interpreted the gesture as an attempt to assert control over Perry.
The singer appeared subdued during the remaining moments of the interview as she continued speaking with the reporter.
Brand and Perry married in 2010, but their relationship ended after 14 months, with their divorce finalised in 2011.
Brand Jailed Following Rape and Sexual Assault Convictions
The resurfacing of the television appearances comes after Brand’s conviction for rape and sexual assaults involving four women.
The actor, 51, was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison after being found guilty of raping one of his fans and sexually assaulting three other women in incidents dating between 2004 and 2009.
The cases have brought renewed attention to previous accounts from women who encountered Brand during his years in television and entertainment.
Kelly and Feltz are among the television personalities who have publicly described interactions with the comedian that left them uncomfortable.
