Comedian Josie Long breaks silence on disturbing backstage physical assault by Russell Brand

The comedian says she initially struggled to recognise the seriousness of the alleged incident

British comedian Josie Long has spoken about an alleged backstage incident involving Russell Brand, claiming he repeatedly bit her face and chased her when she asked him to stop.

Long, 44, shared the account on Novara Live on November 9. She said it happened more than 20 years ago, when she was 22 and working in comedy, during a television appearance.

“Backstage, he would bite my face, and I would tell him I didn’t like it, and he would chase me around,” Long said.

She explained that she laughed because the situation felt overwhelming. Looking back, she said she now recognises the behaviour as physical assault.

“It took a lot for him to stop,” she added, reflecting on how difficult it had been to respond when she was younger.

Long described the comedy industry as having a toxic culture. She welcomed progress in recent years and expressed gratitude to people who had helped bring about change.

She also issued a warning to men in the industry whom she considers misogynistic, saying she hoped further accountability would follow.

Her comments came days after Brand was convicted at Southwark Crown Court of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault involving four women. The offences took place between 2004 and 2009.

On November 9, the 51-year-old was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison. He denied the charges, maintaining that his sexual encounters were consensual. The jury also acquitted him of two counts of rape and one charge of attempted indecent assault.

Long’s account concerns an alleged separate incident and was not part of the criminal trial. Brand’s representatives have not responded to her specific claims.