Russell Brand is seen for the first time since being ‘axed from his big-money role in Despicable Me after rape and sexual assault allegations’
Russell Brand has made his first public appearance since reportedly being dropped from the Despicable Me film series following accusations of rape and sexual abuse.
The 49-year-old comedian looked in high spirits as he stepped into Windsor on Tuesday, where he enthusiastically filmed the changing of the guard at the historic castle.
Russell looked relaxed in a brown peace symbol cardigan, a white T-shirt and black skinny jeans as he filmed the event on his mobile phone while mingling with other tourists.
The Forgetting Sarah Marshall star, who revealed in April that he had been baptised in the Thames after converting to Christianity, completed his look with a rosary crucifix.
A smiling Russell paused to take photos with fans.
Russell Brand has been seen in public for the first time, reportedly being dropped from the Despicable Me film series after facing allegations of rape and sexual abuse
The 49-year-old comedian spent the day in Windsor on Tuesday, filming the changing of the guard at the historic castle
The star, who carried a green jacket in his hand, posed for selfies during his solo outing.
Earlier this month, it was reported that Russell had been fired from his role in the hit Despicable Me franchise.
The disgraced star previously voiced the scientist character Dr. Nefario in the animated film series, but was replaced by comedian Romesh Ranganathan for the fourth installment.
Last year, a Channel 4 Dispatches documentary revealed allegations of sexual abuse during the height of Russell’s fame, as part of an investigation involving The Sunday Times and The Times.
A source said The sun: ‘It’s a surprise that Russell is no longer involved with the Despicable Me films, as he’s been a fixture since the first film.
“Also, there was little fanfare when Romesh took the role, either from Universal or the comedian himself. It feels like the movie executives just wanted to make a quick change without anyone really realizing it.”
Despicable Me 4, which hit theaters last month, stars 61-year-old Steve Carell and 57-year-old Will Ferrell. The film has grossed £590 million worldwide and £31 million in the UK to date.
MailOnline contacted representatives for Russell Brand and Universal for comment at the time.
In April, Russell was photographed hugging Bear Grylls in the River Thames after revealing he had been baptised.
He said he saw it as “an opportunity to leave the past and the sins behind.”
The ceremony took place in the presence of his famous friend Bear and a recently released photo shows the couple embracing.
Russell, Bear and an unidentified person are pictured in the River Thames following the comedian’s baptism.
He posted the photo on social media with the caption: ‘Me, Bear Grylls, the River Thames and of course the Holy Ghost.’
Russell looked casual in a brown cardigan with a white peace symbol T-shirt and black skinny jeans as he filmed the event on his mobile phone while mingling with other tourists
Russell stopped to take pictures with fans
Russell put his arm around a fan as they smiled for a photo
The TV star leaned over to take a selfie with a fan, while another man looked on and smiled
In October 2023, Russell faced serious allegations from a series of women, including rape and sexual assault, when four women came forward with allegations.
The comedian strongly denies any wrongdoing and says he has evidence to refute the allegations.
The controversial comedian has retreated to his hideaway in the Oxfordshire countryside in recent months after being questioned twice by police over allegations of rape.
Since December, he has posted a number of videos and photos on social media discussing his relationship with Christianity.
Russell was in good spirits as he mingled with fans during the outing
Russell was alone on his day out in Windsor
After the rape and sexual abuse allegations came to light, Brand appeared on Tucker Carlson’s show, where he made multiple references to the allegations he faced and the ongoing police and investigative activities.
Speaking on Carlson’s broadcast, Brand said: “I reject the allegations in the strongest possible terms. I am aware that I have put myself in an extremely vulnerable position by being very, very promiscuous.”
“Attacks like this, accused of what I consider the most heinous crimes, are very painful and hurtful. But there are consequences to the foolish way I lived in the past,” he continued.
The disgraced comedian previously voiced the character scientist Dr. Nefario (pictured) in the animated film series
For the fourth film, Russell was replaced by fellow comedian Romesh Ranganathan
Brand, Bear Grylls and an unknown person are pictured in the River Thames after the comedian’s christening
Brand described the crimes he is accused of as “horrific” and added that the criticism he is receiving is a “conscious, pervasive attempt to silence any dissent in an astonishingly aggressive manner.”
Brand has been questioned by detectives from London’s Metropolitan Police on allegations of historical sex offences.
Police said in September that they had launched an investigation into a number of allegations of non-recent sexual offences after media reports suggested that women had accused Brand of a series of sexual assaults.
Brand has rejected what he described as “very serious allegations” and said on his social media channels that he has never had sex without consent. No charges have been filed in the UK.