BBC comedian Josie Long alleges Russell Brand bit her face backstage and vows to expose industry predators
Josie Long said Russell Brand assaulted her by biting her face and pledged to call out other misogynists in comedy following his recent conviction.
BBC comedian Josie Long said she was assaulted by Russell Brand backstage when she was 22, describing an incident in which he "bit my face" and chased her despite her telling him she didn’t like it. Long said it took considerable effort to make him stop and reflected that the episode now appears as a physical assault.
Speaking on the Novara Live podcast, Long warned that she will continue to expose misogynists in comedy, adding, "all other misogynists in comedy, we are coming for you and I hope you never sleep again."
Brand was sentenced to ten years and six months in Southwark Crown Court after being convicted of rape and multiple sexual assaults. The judge called him a "sexual predator" who used his fame to prey on fans. Since the verdict, several other comedians, including Katherine Ryan and the late Sean Lock, have spoken publicly about Brand’s behaviour.
Vanessa Feltz also recalled a 2006 interview in which Brand made inappropriate comments about her daughters, describing the exchange as "extremely chilling".
Brand remains in custody at HMP Wandsworth while authorities consider transferring him to a higher-security prison.