Now Channel 4, BBC and the police all launch probe into Russell Brand rape and sex assault scandal as celebrity friends start distancing themselves in the wake of allegations

Channel 4, the BBC and the Met Police have all launched probes into Russell Brand's behaviour in light of rape and sexual assault allegations, as friends of the comedian begin to distance themselves from him.
The investigations come in response to accusations published in The Sunday Times and on Channel 4's Dispatches which saw multiple women accusing him of abusive and predatory behaviour, including rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse, between 2006 and 2013.
The Metropolitan Police has said it will speak to the media outlets following their investigation, but added that at this time the force has 'not received any reports in relation' to the allegations of sexual assault detailed in the article or documentary.

It comes as Banijay UK, which produced Big Brother's EForum and Big Brother's Big Mouth in the early 2000s, revealed it had also 'launched an urgent investigation' into the alleged behaviour of the 42-year-old comedian who hosted the programmes between 2004 and 2006. 
Former staff members who worked on the shows have claimed that Brand got them to 'act like pimps' by getting the numbers of women in the audience and passing notes to them from the presenter.
Brand, who has denied all the allegations and insists any relationships were 'consensual', was dropped by a charity working to end violence against women in light of the accusations.
However, he has received support from some public figures, with the likes of Elon Musk, Andrew Tate and Laurence Fox all appearing to back the comedian as he claimed to be the victim of a 'co-ordinated media attack'.
Billionaire tech mogul Musk, self-proclaimed misogynist Tate and actor-turned-political activist Fox threw their weight behind Brand, fellow comedians such as Jo Caulfield, Sofie Hagen and Daniel Sloss appeared to turn their backs on him.

Russell Brand is alleged to have asked staff on the Big Brother shows he was hosting to ask female audience members for their numbers. Pictured: Russell Brand hosting Big Brother's Little Brother in May 2006

Former staffers on the show claimed they felt Brand had got them to 'act like pimps' with his requests. Pictured: Brand on Big Brother Celebrity Hijack in 2008

The comedian released a video last week refuting all the allegations against him. Pictured: Brand leaving the Troubabour Wembley Park theatre after a gig last night