Russell Brand questioned by London police over 6 more sexual offense claims
LONDON — Comedian Russell Brand has been questioned for a second time by police investigating sexual offense allegations, British media reported Monday.
Brand, 48, was interviewed under caution last week over six “non-recent” allegations, the Press Association news agency reported. Brand was questioned by police in November over three other claims.
London's Metropolitan Police did not identify Brand but said in a statement that a man in his 40s attended a police station in south London for a second time Dec. 14.
“He was interviewed under caution by detectives in relation to a further six, non-recent, sexual offenses," police said.
British police do not name suspects who have not been arrested and charged.
In September, British media outlets published claims by four women of being sexually assaulted or raped by Brand between 2006 and 2013, at the height of his fame. The accusers have not been named.
The comedian, author and actor has denied the allegations, saying his relationships were “always consensual.”
Two U.K. police forces, the Metropolitan Police and Thames Valley Police, launched investigations against Brand after the claims were published. The BBC, where Brand worked on radio programs from 2006 to 2008, also launched a review into his behavior.
Brand married singer Katy Perry in October 2010. Perry claimed the comedian broke up with her via text message, according to Business Insider, and the two divorced in 2012.
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PARIS — The wax figure of actor Gerard Depardieu has been removed from Paris' most famous wax museum, following negative reactions from visitors over allegations about his conduct with women, the museum said Monday.
The decision to remove the figure from the Grevin Museum, the so-called “Pantheon of wax celebrities,” followed a recent report on the actor on French television that has dented his reputation in France and around the world.
The France 2 documentary showed him repeatedly making obscene remarks and gestures during a 2018 trip to North Korea. Depardieu has also been under investigation for rape since 2020. He denies all charges.
Depardieu, 74, has starred in hundreds of movies over more than half a century, including French classics like “The Last Metro,” “Jean de Florette” and “Cyrano de Bergerac," and English-language movies including “Green Card” and “Life of Pi.”
This waxwork's disappearance coincides with France’s culture minister announcing a disciplinary procedure concerning Depardieu's prestigious Order of the Legion of Honor, which could lead to its withdrawal. In response, Depardieu, through his lawyers, said he was relinquishing the honor. The actor has already been stripped of honors in Canada and Belgium.
Depardieu’s family has condemned what they say is a conspiracy against him, expressing their disapproval of the “collective rage” aimed at the actor in a statement published in French media.
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LOS ANGELES — Mayim Bialik won’t be giving answers as a host of “Jeopardy!” anymore.
“The Big Bang Theory” actor posted news of her departure on Instagram on Friday.
“Sony has informed me that I will no longer be hosting the syndicated version of Jeopardy!” Bialik wrote. “I am incredibly honored to have been nominated for a primetime Emmy for hosting this year and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of the Jeopardy! family.”
Former show champion Ken Jennings has been hosting season 40 of the syndicated show by himself.
Sony Pictures Television in a statement noted Bialik was the one who announced her departure.
“We made the decision to have one host for the syndicated show next season to maintain continuity for our viewers, and Ken Jennings will be the sole host for syndicated Jeopardy!” Sony said. “We are truly grateful for all of Mayim’s contributions to Jeopardy!, and we hope to continue to work with her on primetime specials.”
Bialik and Jennings had split hosting duties on “Jeopardy!,” but Bialik was the solo host for season 1 of “Celebrity Jeopardy!” In May, Bialik declared her support for the Hollywood writers’ strike and declined to appear on the game show.
From combined wire services
