Russell Brand’s book publisher said it is pausing all future publishing with the British actor and comedian amid explosive allegations of sexual assault, rape and emotional abuse.
A rep for Bluebird, the imprint of UK publisher Pan Macmillan, told The Bookseller Monday: “These are very serious allegations and in the light of them, Bluebird has taken the decision to pause all future publishing with Russell Brand.”
You are reading: Russell Brand’s book deal halted in wake of sickening sex assault, rape claims: ‘Horribly misled’
Under his deal with Pan Macmillan, Brand published “Recovery: Freedom from Our Addictions” in 2018, with a new version of the book set to be published in May 2024.
Now, the future of Brand’s book, which covers the entertainer’s recovery from his addictions to heroin and alcohol, is unclear.
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The “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” actor was accused of raping, sexually assaulting and abusing four women between 2006 and 2013 — and one victim was a 16-year-old he allegedly called “the child,” a bombshell investigation revealed over the weekend.
Brand, 48, denied the joint report by UK outlets the Times, the Sunday Times and Channel 4 “Dispatches,” in a video the actor uploaded on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Since the explosive report was published, the BBC and entertainment company Banijay, which employed the comedian at the time the incidents were said to have taken place, have launched an investigation into the claims.
Brand, who rose to fame in the early 2000s as a comedian before booking roles in Hollywood films including “Rock of Ages” alongside Tom Cruise, has written numerous books over the years, published by a variety of publishers.
He penned an autobiography, “My Booky Wook,” in 2007, published by Hodder & Stoughton, and its sequel, “BookyWook 2,” in 2011, published by HarperCollins.
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In 2015, he wrote a political tome titled “Revolution,” published by Cornerstone, as well as making his children’s literature debut with “The Pied Piper of Hamelin.”
Following the stunning report, Brand’s former talent agency, Tavistock Wood, has severed ties with the actor, telling the Daily Mail it believes it was “horribly misled.”
The then-16-year-old who has accused Brand of sexual assault claims to have contacted the actor’s literary agent and Tavistock Wood co-founder about the incident back in 2020.
“Russell Brand categorically and vehemently denied the allegation made in 2020, but we now believe we were horribly misled by him,” the agency said in a statement to the Daily Mail. “TW has terminated all professional ties to Brand.”
Brand’s roller-coaster career, which has spanned nearly three decades, has been riddled with controversies, including explosive outbursts, sex and drug addiction and fiery political rants.
