RUSSELL Brand has been sued for £220,000 after failing to write two self-help books amid sex abuse allegations.
The ex-TV star, 49, saw sexual assault claims from multiple woman end his Hollywood career – and his lucrative book deal axed.
Russell Brand has been sued for £220,000 after failing to write two self-help books[/caption]
Pan Macmillan had already published two of Brand’s best-selling books[/caption]
Brand has re-positioned himself as an online social commentator[/caption]
He is facing civil sex assault claims in the US, where a woman accused him of exposing himself and assaulting her while filming Arthur in 2010.
The Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches also reported in 2023 that four women had accused Brand of sexual assaults, including a rape, between 2006 and 2013.
Since those allegations were published and broadcast, police also received a report of an assault alleged to have taken place in London in 2003.
As reported by The Times, High Court documents in London reveal the online guru is now being sued for £220,000 for failing to write two self-help books in a deal that was terminated after allegations came to light.
The publishing deal was cut shortly after The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches investigation.
The film star — ex-husband of US pop singer Katy Perry — has previously stated he has never had non-consensual sex.
Court docs show Brand’s company, called Pablo Diablo’s Legitimate Business Firm Ltd, signed a deal agreeing to “two original literary works of non-fiction” in January 2021 with a £575,000 advance.
Pan Macmillan had already published Brand’s books Recovery: Freedom From Our Addictions and Mentors: How to Help and Be Helped.
Its Bluebird imprint was due to release a sequel titled Recovery: The Workbook: a Practical Guide to Finding Freedom From Our Addictions in December 2024.
Brand was paid £75,000 for the first book and £142,000 for the second as part of the deal.
The comedian was scheduled to receive a further £37,500 when he delivered the manuscript for the first book and £142,000 for the second.
The same sums were due to be paid for promoting the books – due to be completed in May and October 2021.
Dad-of-three Brand — married to Laura Gallacher, sister of broadcaster Kirsty, failed to produce the first book by the deadline.
Pan Macmillan forked out £3,000 for a ghostwriter to help draft some of the work.
The court documents claim the ex-Hollywood star “did not engage” with this process.
In September 2023, after the sexual abuse allegations were made public, Brand’s team had requested a “longer deadline”.
However, the agency in charge of working on the deal, Curtis Brown, declared they had “terminated their relationship”.
Publisher Pan Macmillan also ended its contract with Brand in December 2023.
They are now suing for the £220,000 in claims of “wasted expenditure”.
Brand’s contract with the publisher stated that he “absolutely and unconditionally guarantees to Macmillan … the full and prompt performance and observance of all the obligations required”.
If he can’t keep up with his end of the deal, Brand will “personally fully perform and fulfil such obligations and pay to Macmillan all damages that may arise in consequence of any such default”.
The publisher said Brand had “failed to produce the typescripts for the books at all”.
Brand has not responded to the claim and declined to comment.
Bluebird said in a statement after the abuse claims: “These are very serious allegations and in the light of them, Bluebird has taken the decision to pause all future publishing with Russell Brand.”
This comes as the former actor is now also being sued over sex abuse allegations in the first-known lawsuit brought against him in the UK.
An anonymous claimant, believed to be a woman, has lodged a “personal injury sexual abuse” case for damages at London’s High Court.
The latest case was filed on February 6, and is referred to as “AGX v Brand”, with legal firm Remedy Law acting for the claimant.
Brand, once one of Britain’s most high-profile stand-up comedians and broadcasters, has re-positioned himself as an online social commentator.
Last month it was revealed that he is now living in the US full-time — but could be extradited to the UK to face sex crime charges.
He moved his family from Oxfordshire to Florida, claiming he is being “attacked” and “shut down” by the British authorities.
The former Big Brother’s Big Mouth presenter was seen leaving a yoga session in Destin, Florida, last month.
His permanent relocation from the UK could result in lengthy extradition proceedings if UK prosecutors decide to charge him.
In January, the BBC apologised for a “culture of silence” around his alleged behaviour while working as a radio presenter between 2006 and 2008.
An investigation found that he was seen as “too influential”.
Met Police detectives passed the Crown Prosecution Service a full file of evidence in November following a 13-month investigation.
Brand has been interviewed under caution three times and denies any wrongdoing.
If the CPS considers a charge is authorised while Brand is across the pond, he could be detained by US police under an international arrest warrant.
The Home Office would have to submit a formal extradition request to Washington on its behalf to seek his return to the UK for court proceedings.
The Sun approached Brand’s lawyers for comment.
Pan Macmillan also ended its contract with Brand in December 2023[/caption]
They are now suing for the £220,000 in claims of ‘wasted expenditure’[/caption]
