Showbiz executives that Russell Brand previously worked with may well have to answer questions as the star faces staggering abuse allegations.
On Saturday, the actor and comedian, 48, was accused of rape, sexual assault and physical abuse in a Channel 4 special episode of Dispatches airing in a joint investigation with The Times.
Throughout the years the allegations facing Brand span, he worked closely with the likes of Radio 2’s Lesley Douglas, his former agent John Noel and TV executive Sir Peter Bazalgette.
They may now find themselves facing questioning over Brand’s behaviour during their association with the star.
Lesley gave Brand his own shows at both Radio 2 and 6 Music and according to Daily Mail was regarded as Brand’s ‘biggest champion’.
However, in 2008, Douglas was forced to resign after Brand and Jonathan Ross left actor Andrew Sachs voice messages claiming Brand had sex with the Fawlty Towers star’s granddaughter.
The outlet also reports that Douglas received complaints about Brand’s behaviour.
A statement on Saturday’s special episode of Dispatches read: ‘Ms Douglas did not at any time encourage, enable, and/or fail herself to take any adequate steps within her power with regard to the conduct of Mr Brand of which she was aware.’
Meanwhile, Noel represented Brand between 2002 and 2017 and his son Nik Linnen was best man at the comedian’s wedding to Katy Perry.
MailOnline notes that Noel ‘went the extra mile for Brand’ and ‘dug him out of crises’.
Speaking to media on Monday, Noel said he parted ways with Brand in 2014 and only ever had complaints about his former client’s punctuality.
Noting he was ‘very surprised’ by the allegations, Noel said: ‘I can’t make a comment about it, you know that. You can doorstep me all you want, there’s not much I can say at the moment.’
He added: ‘I’ve never had any complaints about him – other than turning up late, that kind of thing.’
As for Sir Peter, he was the person responsible for introducing Big Brother to screens.
Sir Peter worked as a senior executive at production company Endemol when some of Brand’s alleged actions took place.
Brand has insisted his relationships have all been consensual and denied the allegations.
Since reports first broke, the BBC and Channel 4 have launched investigations, while a women’s charity has cut ties with the actor.
Metro.co.uk has reached out to Noel and Sir Peter for comment.
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