The celebrities who spoke out against David Walliams and Russell Brand BEFORE they were exposed

Russell Brand and David Walliams had hundreds of celebrity friends at the height of their fame who laughed along with their jokes.But there were also a number of high-profile figures who were willing to speak out about the two comedians long before serious allegations were made about them both.Among them is Brand's ex-wife Katy Perry, who predicted her 'controlling' former spouse would end up in jail – while Australian singer Dannii Minogue publicly branded Brand a 'vile predator' and claimed he 'wouldn't take no for an answer'.Comedian Katherine Ryan also attempted to raise concerns about Brand, while Bob Geldof and Sir Rod Stewart confronted him over comments about their daughters.Much-loved comedian Sean Lock openly admitted he 'hated' Brand, and also reacted scathingly to a disturbing joke Walliams made about the death of Michael Jackson.Comedian Lucy Beaumont previously raised concerns about Walliams when she spoke about being told he was hosting teenage girls in his dressing room.But some were also known for making light of Walliams's behaviour towards women, including Jonathan Ross, Scott Mills and Alan Carr who all spoke about it on air.Yesterday, Walliams – who denies any wrongdoing – was accused of sexual misconduct and abusing his power to groom teenagers as young as 15. This came a day after Brand was jailed for ten-and-a-half years for rape and sexual assault. Russell Brand and David Walliams at a party after the British Comedy Awards in 2006Bob Geldof Bob Geldof openly called Russell Brand a 'c***' on stage, in a fiery clash that took place 20 years agoThe Irish singer made the comments about Brand after being named Hero of the Year at the 2006 NME Awards, with Brand saying on stage: 'Of course, the winner is Live 8 so please welcome to the stage Sir Bobby Gandalf.' Coming up to accept his prize, Geldof then furiously brushed past Brand before telling the audience: 'Russell Brand, what a c***.' The Boomtown Rats star's remarks were met with laughs and applause, as the controversial comedian looked unimpressed. Bob Geldof's clash with Russell Brand shocked the audience and people watching on TV The Irish singer openly insulted Brand after being named Hero of the Year, with Brand saying on stage: 'Of course, the winner is Live 8 so please welcome to the stage Sir Bobby Gandalf' Brand later took back the microphone and congratulated Geldof before hitting back with a dig of his own. 'Bob Geldof there, obviously an amazing man to whom we have a lot to be grateful, not in calling me a c*** of course,' Brand said. 'Really it's no surprise that he's such an expert on famine, he has after all been dining out on "I Don't Like Mondays" for 30 years,' he added.Brand was previously linked to the Irish singer's second daughter, Peaches Geldof, in 2006 when she was 17. Peaches died from a heroin overdose aged 25 in 2014. Brand was later criticised by Geldof's eldest daughter, Fifi, in 2015, after the comedian joked about using drugs at a fundraising event for a charity that specialises in treating drug and alcohol addictions. Fifi Geldof called Brand an 'unfunny b*****d' and an 'uber-douche extraordinaire' after he joked about addiction at Focus 12's fundraising event. Geldof's ex-wife – and Fifi, Peaches and Pixie's mother – Paula Yates, died of a heroin overdose in 2000. Lily AllenLily Allen later said she wished she'd spoken up during a dark moment when Russell Brand joked with Noel Fielding about being rapists in front of her on TV.The singer later described it as 'really horrendous'. The uncomfortable incident has resurfaced in the wake of Brand, 51, being convicted of one rape and three sexual assaults. During the minute-long clip, taken from Channel 4's Big Fat Quiz of the Year in 2007, host Jimmy Carr can be seen welcoming Rob Brydon, David Mitchell, Jonathan Ross, Noel Fielding and Brand onto the show, alongside Allen – the only female guest appearing on the show.Ross looks at Brand and Fielding as he tells Carr: 'I'm a bit concerned because look where you've put us. 'You've put the only sexually attractive young lady – well, the only young lady full stop, she happens to be very attractive as well – near two of the best known c***smen of the business.' 'I'm going to insist as a sort of uncle figure in Lily's life that she moves over there because obviously that's the sexless zone,' Ross continues, pointing to Brydon and Mitchell. 'And then, Lily might go home with her dress still on.' Lily Allen pulled a grimace during an uncomfortable exchange between Russell Brand and Noel Fielding on a Channel 4 show in which they joked about being rapists Allen later reflected on the moment as 'really horrendous' but stayed silent because of the 'culture' at the timeFielding replies: 'How dare you? We're not rapists,' much to the amusement of the audience.Carr then asks the comedian why he is wearing a cape if he is not a rapist. 'It's a Jack the Ripper cape. He wasn't a rapist, he was just...' Fielding says, as Brand adds: 'A serial murderer. There is no direct corollary between capes and rape. It's just a rhyme. Leave him alone.' Brand continues: 'What if, horror of horrors, he ain't even done a rape. You could ruin his reputation.'The audience continue to laugh as Brand asks him: 'Have you done a rape?'Fielding then placed his cape across his face and said: 'Well, if I have, I'd be leaving the scene of the crime like this.'Allen can be seen looking uncomfortable throughout the exchange, glancing down at her hands and making a grimacing face at the comments.In 2023 she reflected on the moment as 'really horrendous' but had stayed silent because of the 'culture' at the time.She told Grazia UK that she had been aware of the clip resurfacing 'where I was on a chat show with Russell Brand and Noel Fielding and Jonathan Ross. And there are comments, I think, about me being raped or something.'Allen added: 'And I laugh along with it. In retrospect, that's really horrendous. It makes me uncomfortable, but I don't think I felt that at the time, because it was the culture.'Lorraine Kelly Lorraine Kelly revealed how Russell Brand called her 'a slut' during a TV chat show appearance.Referring to their joint appearance on a 2007 episode of The Graham Norton Show, Lorraine admitted 'that's uncomfortable to watch that now.'Lorraine then recalled her multiple TV appearances with Brand, explaining: 'I interviewed him a lot over that time when he was in the public eye.''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.'Lorraine Kelly recalled how Russell Brand called her 'a slut' during a TV chat show appearanceLorraine then aired a clip of her and Brand together on The Graham Norton Show in 2007.Brand is seen touching Lorraine's leg and exclaiming: 'Oh my god, you're wearing suspenders. I have been in other films but none of that matters now I know Lorraine Kelly is a s**t.'In the studio, Lorraine recalled that 'That's uncomfortable to watch that now it absolutely is. Obviously for the record I was not wearing suspenders at all.'He was laughing, I was laughing. 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.'That's what he was not just doing but actively encouraged to do. It's not that long ago, not really.'I do wonder if I would have put up with that now. I do wonder if we are in a different place now and if it even would have been aired.'Sir Rod StewartRussell Brand was called out by a furious Sir Rod Stewart at the 2006 GQ Men Of The Year Awards after telling the audience he had slept with the singer's model daughter Kimberly.When taking to the stage at the bash to collect his gong, Brand made a crude remark saying: 'Here's to Rod Stewart who had a go at me earlier this year for too much womanising.' Before adding: 'But then again I did have a go on his daughter.' When Sir Rod then collected his own trophy he made a point of blasting Brand for his comment. Russell Brand was called out by a furious Sir Rod Stewart at the 2006 GQ Men Of The Year Awards after he claimed to have slept with the singer's daughter KimberlyKimberly and Russell pictured in 2006Addressing him directly, he said: 'You went with my daughter, did you? Russell, stand up.' The comedian then seemingly lost all his bravado and could be heard sheepishly mumbling: 'I took her out for one evening'. A fuming Rod asked if Brand had behaved himself on said evening with the former Big Brother host backtracking and saying: 'I never touched that girl.''F***ing right you didn't' Rod snapped, 'You mustn't come up here and boast. I speak here as a father.'Rod has eight children in total.He later told the Evening Standard: '[Russell] might be a bit of a player but he shouldn't boast. I never did. Russell's been a bit timid since I had my say.'Katy Perry Katy Perry, 42, was not called to give evidence during Russell Brand's trial, but it has emerged that she may have been in the room during one of his sexual assaults in 2009.She also described him as 'very controlling' and suggested he struggled with her greater success.The couple met while Brand was filming Get Him To The Greek in 2009 and married the following year in a Hindu ceremony in India. By the end of 2011, however, the marriage was over after Brand ended it by text moments before she was due to go on stage.The I Kissed A Girl and Firework singer has previously hinted that she knows more about Brand's darker side, telling fans this summer that he should be 'in jail'. She has not publicly commented on his conviction.In a 2013 interview with Vogue, she said: 'At first when I met him he wanted an equal and I think a lot of times strong men do want an equal, but then they get that equal and they're like, "I can't handle the equalness". 'He didn't like the atmosphere of me being the boss on tour. So that was really hurtful and it was very controlling, which was upsetting. 'I felt a lot of responsibility for it ending. But then I found out the real truth which I can't necessarily disclose because I keep it locked in my safe for a rainy day.' Katy Perry with then-husband Russell Brand at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles Perry was said to be furious when her husband posted this photo to social media of her waking up in bed without make-up. The image was quickly removed Russell Brand removed his wedding ring and joked about bedding college girls weeks before he filed for divorce from Ms Perry in November 2011 Brand humiliated Perry just weeks before their December 2011 split by removing his wedding ring and joking about 'bedding' college girls during a university tour of America.In a video posted on the Nudevista website, he revealed he was preparing for what he described as 'a week of revolution'.Brand told viewers he was looking forward to discovering the antics of female students first-hand, before pointedly removing his wedding ring and joking he would hide it 'somewhere very, very safe' while on the road. He added: 'I don't know what a sorority is except for what I have seen [online] that they are sort of sex clubs for women.' There had been earlier signs the marriage was in trouble.Perry was said to be furious when her husband posted a photo on social media of her waking up in bed without make-up. The picture was quickly removed.The Mail on Sunday learned this week that the pop singer is planning to tell all about her 'dark marriage' in a book and docuseries.Sources close to the star claim she was waiting for the outcome of Brand's trial before finalising a deal but has been in 'active discussions' to tell her side of their 14-month marriage, which ended in 2011.A well-placed Hollywood source said: 'Katy has received multiple offers over the years to tell her story but would not consider anything until after the trial. She has a lot to say.'At the moment she's considering a Netflix-type series and an autobiography. She and her team have been in active discussions. 'There is a lot about that marriage which people don't know. It was a very dark period in her life.' The source claimed her team have been in touch with streaming giants including Netflix and Hulu. Katherine RyanKatherine Ryan called Russell Brand out as a 'sexual predator' on TV – to his face – but it was cut by producers.She has said she feels a mixture of 'grief and relief' after he was convicted of rape and sexual assault.The Canadian-born comedian, 43, claimed there are 'a lot of women speaking privately and quietly' about his behaviour following the verdict, with many experiencing 'a very nuanced mix of emotions'.She added cuttingly of Brand's new career as a Christian podcaster: 'I don't know if you can podcast from jail. I hope not.'Ryan was one of the first celebrities to publicly raise concerns about Brand's sexual behaviour and the first star to confront him to his face, almost a decade ago.The comedians were both judges on Comedy Central's Roast Battle in 2018, when Ryan repeatedly called him a 'sexual predator' on camera. But the remarks were cut by producers and never broadcast, and Brand left the show after six episodes.In 2022, she spoke out again and claimed in an interview with Louis Theroux that she knew of a 'predator' working in the entertainment industry and that it was an 'open secret' who it was.She said she could not name the male comic because it would be a 'litigious minefield', but indicated she had called the individual a 'predator' to 'his face', prompting widespread speculation she was referring to Brand.A year later, in 2023, she spoke at a Royal Television Society event as several women accused Brand of rape, sexual abuse and degrading behaviour. Referring to the controversy, Ryan made a pointed comment that there was an 'elephant in the room', before insisting she was joking about her own weight. Weeks later she said there was a 'dangerous comic' working in British showbusiness during an appearance on Desert Island Discs where she said she had 'let him know under no uncertain terms what I think of him'.Reflecting on Brand's guilty verdicts on her podcast Telling Everybody Everything, Ryan said: 'It really made me feel quite dysregulated again, caught off guard, emotional and in awe of the survivors, who also had nothing to gain.'They came forward despite Russell Brand having fame, power, money and a legion of fans ready to attack them.'The pair appeared together on Comedy Central's Roast Battle in 2018, where scenes where she confronted him were cutShe added: 'I will never be someone who, like, dances on graves. There has been some justice done today. There's a level of relief, but there's grief alongside relief. 'Everything's nuanced, and it was proved in court that a terrible thing happened, and that means that a terrible thing happened.'I just think again and again about people who have been hurt, and who have to carry that, who've carried that around long enough, and will continue to carry that in some way, regardless of what justice is done.'This verdict came because women were hurt, and I worry as well about what happens next.'Because he's obviously spent a long time cultivating this idea that the establishment have invented these claims against him, and he's martyred himself to a growing audience who really still think that it is the courageous survivors who are the villains in this story.'I just… I don't know if you can podcast from jail. I hope not.'She continued: 'Today there are a lot of women speaking, like the way we always do, privately and quietly, the way we've learned to do, to avoid being attacked and to keep each other safe, and a lot of those women feel a very nuanced mix of emotions today.'Ryan also blasted the actions of Brand's barrister, who launched into a tirade at a journalist outside the courtroom.Dannii Minogue More than 20 years before Russell Brand was sentenced to more than a decade behind bars for rape, singer Dannii Minogue publicly branded him a 'vile predator' and claimed he 'wouldn't take no for an answer'.The 55-year-old Australian pop star made the explosive remarks during a 2006 interview with The Mirror at the Michele Watches Summer Party, in which she detailed an uncomfortable experience while appearing on Brand's short-lived MTV programme 1 Leicester Square.'He is completely crazy and a bit of a vile predator. I certainly don't think he has cured his sex addiction, that's for sure,' Minogue said at the time.'He wouldn't take no for an answer.'He always goes that step too far. Never quite far enough to slap his face, but usually too far.' The younger sister of Australian superstar Kylie Minogue claimed the comedian repeatedly made inappropriate comments during their encounter. More than 20 years before Russell Brand, 51, was sentenced to more than a decade behind bars for rape, singer Dannii Minogue (pictured) publicly branded him a 'vile predator' and claimed he 'wouldn't take no for an answer' Minogue made the explosive remarks during a 2006 interview, in which she detailed an uncomfortable experience while appearing on Brand's short-lived MTV programme 1 Leicester Square (pictured)'He kept making shocking remarks that I can't even repeat,' she said.'Just uttering the words would make me blush.'According to Minogue, Brand complimented her 'fabulous breasts' before following her down a corridor and persistently asking for her phone number.'He's just not my type,' she added.Sean LockSean Lock told a TV audience on air that he 'hated' Brand.He also called the now convicted rapist 'self-serving' and saying he feared his daughters might 'bring something like that home' 12 years ago.In the two-minute clip from the Channel 4 show 8 Out Of 10 Cats in 2014, the late and much-loved British comic took several swipes at Brand.He said: 'Probably the reason I hate him so much is that I am a dad, and I have this fear that one day my daughters will bring something like that home. And he will come in and go so, 'Oh such pleasure to be in your charming abode'.' Lock – who died in 2021, aged 58 – was initially talking about Brand's hypocrisy and 'self-serving' nature when it came to discouraging people from voting. Sean Lock said in an episode of 8 Out Of 10 Cats that he 'hated' Brand because he feared his daughters might 'bring something like that home'The late comedian was referring to when Brand told Jeremy Paxman on BBC Newsnight in 2013 that he had never voted and never would, encouraging people – including young people – to abstain from voting as a protest. Lock said Brand had 'back pedalled so much' from encouraging people to stay away from polling stations to then change stance and question 'who am I supposed vote for'. He then quipped: 'So if you reduce that to what he is actually saying, he is saying what everybody says on every bus stop on news days, 'Huh politicians. What are they like hey? How did that lot get in bloody hell.''Celebrity guest Spice Girl Mel C, who was on Lock's team, defended Brand's political take, questioning how change would come about 'unless we come together and stop moaning at bus stops'. Mr Lock retorted by saying people 'get the politicians they deserve' because they don't engage or 'take any interest in politics'. 'Him saying stuff to people who are disaffected already and are not engaged with the political process and don't vote is the most moronic, self-serving, pathetic bit of attention seeking w**k that has ever been spewed out of a moron's f***ing mouth in history.'Fellow panellist, Dublin-born comedian David O'Doherty then suggested to 'cut [Brand] some slack', describing the political landscape at the time as 'rubbish', adding: 'It needs people to sleep out under temporary tarpaulins maybe to change it.'People reacting to the clip online described the Surrey comic as having 'saw through Brand straight away'. Five years earlier, in another episode of the panel show, Lock reacted scathingly to a disturbing joke David Walliams made shortly after the death of Michael Jackson – who had admitted to sharing his bed with children.After frantically waving his arm to get the host's attention, Walliams asked: 'Have you heard Michael Jackson is dead?' He then added: 'If it is wrong to share your bed with 13-year-old boys then lock me up and throw away the key.'Afterwards, Lock looked visibly unimpressed, staring blankly into the distance while some audience members laughed.Daniel Sloss Scottish comedian Daniel Sloss was among the first to speak out about Brand's predatory behaviour.Featuring in Russell Brand: In Plain Sight in 2023, he revealed he had been hearing rumours about the comedian for years on the circuit – with female comedians allegedly warning one another about Brand in WhatsApp groups.Sloss explained he had chosen to speak out following his experience with a friend who turned out to be a sexual predator. Daniel Sloss said he had been hearing rumours about Russell Brand for years on the circuitHe explained: 'You can't do a show talking about calling out the behaviour of other men and then be given a very real chat to call out the behaviour of other men and not do it.'Sloss said 'a lot of people' in his life attempted to dissuade him from participating in the documentary – but rejected suggestions he was 'brave' for speaking out.'It takes no bravery to say here are rumours that I've heard since 19 years old,' he added.Sloss claimed Brand was not the sole celebrity he had been 'hearing stuff about' – but stopped short of going into details.Lucy BeaumontLucy Beaumont has revealed she was among people who spoke to The Guardian about allegations involving David Walliams.The 43-year-old said she raised concerns about Walliams after being told he was hosting teenage girls in his dressing room while working on a TV show and she was 'worried' about whether he had behaved inappropriately.Beaumont discussed her response to the allegations involving Walliams while appearing on Sky News' The Cathy Newman Show yesterday, saying she 'wants to protect young women' in the TV industry.Lucy Beaumont discussed her response to the allegations involving David Walliams on The Cathy Newman Show on Sky News yesterday, saying she 'wants to protect young women''I don't know Walliams, I haven't worked with him but, bizarrely, it's been a really strange day for me because, about three years ago, a young person – and it was their first job on TV – worked on a show he was on and the next show that they worked on was with me.'They took me aside and said, 'I need to tell somebody something' and confided in me.'Some of (Walliams') conduct that they were really worried about.'Beaumont said the young person told her they had to 'take young girls' who were 'definitely' over 16 to Walliams' dressing room, adding: 'He felt they were vulnerable.'She added: 'At the time, he didn't think there was a process, a way to let people know within the TV company what was happening and how he felt and I was really worried.'The Hull-born star added: 'I did as much as I could do privately. Whenever I've heard a rumour about anyone, I've done everything I can. There's only so much you can do. I'm not the police. Nothing seems to be illegal.'But I was really worried, and I was one of the whistleblowers. I was one of the people to let The Guardian know.' And what about those who made jokes about their behaviour towards women? Jonathan RossTV presenter Jonathan Ross said he was 'horrified' by the allegations about David Walliams and the crimes of Russell Brand, adding that he was 'genuinely unaware of their conduct'.The 65-year-old made the comments after footage resurfaced of him joking about Walliams and 15-year-olds at the British Comedy Awards in 2004.Ross appears in a photograph featured in the investigation's accompanying ITV documentary, David Walliams: Power and Silence.He was pictured alongside Walliams at an event also attended by one of the women who later made allegations about Walliams' conduct.In a statement yesterday, Ross said: 'I am as horrified by the revelations about David Walliams and the crimes of Russell Brand as the rest of the nation. Jonathan Ross and David Walliams on 'The Jonathan Ross Show' in 2011'There was a time in my life when I was on friendly terms with both men, and during that period I was genuinely unaware of their conduct.'My thoughts are with the many, many women who have bravely come forward.'The Jonathan Ross Show host has faced scrutiny over his past association with Brand, who was jailed on Monday for 10-and-a-half years for raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others.Ross appeared on several television shows alongside Brand and also featured on his BBC Radio 2 show in 2008, when the pair became embroiled in a scandal involving Georgina Baillie.The incident, dubbed 'Sachsgate', saw the pair leave a voicemail for her grandfather, actor Andrew Sachs, during which they made explicit comments about a relationship she had with Brand. Russell Brand hugs Jonathan Ross as they appeared on his chat show together in 2018In his statement, Ross also addressed his controversial joke about Walliams and said: 'I recognise how deeply shocking it is to revisit footage of a joke delivered by me at the Comedy Awards in 2004, in which I make light of the notion of Walliams going home with a 15-year-old.'This joke was submitted to me by the Comedy Awards script writing team and I believed that the punchline was a reference to the fact he had publicly dated younger women, exaggerated for comic effect.'It is also a tasteless joke that I would not dream of making today about anyone, but that is beside the point.'Had I had any reason to suspect that it might be referring to actual events, I would not only have refused to use it, but I would not have felt comfortable continuing a personal or professional relationship with him.'I also like to think that I would have acted upon that knowledge.'Alan Carr Alan Carr was known to have been friends with David Walliams, and even attended his wedding to Lara Stone in 2010.One year earlier during an appearance on Carr's Chatty Man, Walliams was asked about how he 'always seems to be in the paper with different women - how do you pick them up?'Walliams replied: 'I just meet them out. I just like spending time with them, I like to take them out for dinner, go shopping, that kind of thing.Carr then joked: 'You're a bit like an illegal taxi driver. You lure them into a false sense of security and then you pounce.' David Walliams with Alan Carr on the latter's Chatty Man programme on Channel 4 in 2009Walliams then said: 'Well a lot of these ladies are just friends of mine.'Carr also spoke about how they had recently been at an event with the singer Natalie Imbruglia, and told Walliams he should marry and 'make an honest woman of her' because they 'make such a lovely couple'.Walliams then replied: 'Well it's very kind of you to say that but she isn't really into marrying me and the words that she used, I think the phrase she used, is, she said you're a vile sexual predator. I think something like that.'No, I know, we're just really good friends, it's really important to have some good female friends but she's lovely, I mean I'd marry her if she wanted to but she doesn't want to.Scott Mills One woman named Alex claims in the allegations published yesterday that David Walliams offered to help her with her dream of being a comedy writer when they met at a Little Britain fan event in London in January 2004, when she was aged 15.He later phoned her and they exchanged emails over several months, it is claimed.The morning after the initial phone call, Walliams was on BBC Radio 1 with presenter Scott Mills.The pair joked about Walliams' reputation, with Mills asking him whether his male friends tried to keep him away from their girlfriends. Scott Mills was sacked by the BBC shortly before it emerged that the Metropolitan Police had launched an investigation into him in 2016 over allegations of serious sexual offences'What, like I'm some kind of rabid animal?' Walliams replied. 'No, I'm a gentleman. But.. I love the company of women, you see.'In March this year, Mills was sacked by the BBC shortly before it emerged that the Metropolitan Police had launched an investigation into him in 2016 over allegations of serious sexual offences involving a boy aged under 16 between 1997 and 2000.The police investigation was closed in 2019 after prosecutors decided there was insufficient evidence to bring charges – and Mills was never charged with any offences.As for Alex, she said that in October 2005 when she was aged 17, she messaged Walliams to say she was going to a gig in London with friends and invited him along.The pair again began exchanging emails, and the woman claims that he pressured her to send sexual photos, which he denies. She alleges that Walliams groomed her.She says the pair had consensual sexual contact three times when she was 17 and 18, but that she 'felt unable to say anything or have any control in that situation once I was with him'.Walliams denies any wrongdoing. His lawyers say any suggestion he groomed Alex is false and has caused him significant distress.