Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Russell Brand tells show audience members ‘there are things he cannot discuss’

The comedian made a swift exit from the venue just before 9.40pm.

Gwyn Wright
Saturday 16 September 2023 22:44 BST
Russell Brand leaves the Troubabour Wembley Park theatre (James Manning/PA)
Russell Brand leaves the Troubabour Wembley Park theatre (James Manning/PA) (PA Wire)

Your support helps us to tell the story

This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.

The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.

Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.

Russell Brand told audience members there were things he could not discuss as he performed a comedy gig to thousands of people hours after allegations of rape, sexual assault and coercive behaviour against him were published.

Four women have alleged sexual assaults between 2006 and 2013, when Brand was at the height of his fame, in a joint investigation by The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches. He denies all allegations.

The 48-year-old arrived late to his show, Bipolarisation, at the Troubadour Wembley Park theatre in north-west London on Saturday evening.

He turned up in a black Mercedes 46 minutes late to the sold-out gig, which was due to start at 7pm but did not in fact begin until after 8pm.

The venue has a capacity of 2,000 and fans who had not bought valid tickets could be seen before the show begging front of house staff to let them in.

The set itself was shorter than the time crowds had waited for it to begin, and people could be seen leaving an hour and three minutes after it began.

Dressed in white trainers, grey jeans, a black jacket and sunglasses, Brand appeared to briefly address the allegations made against him.

A video from inside the venue shows him being met with cheers before he began his set.

Audience members told the PA news agency Brand expressed his love for the crowd, but told them he hoped they “appreciate” that there were certain things he could not talk about during the show.

The comedian made a swift exit from the venue just before 9.40pm.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in