Samantha Armytage recalls ‘very sensitive’ encounter with Russell Brand – as he faces rape and grooming allegations: ‘It was quite full-on’
Sam Armytage recalls encountering a “very touchy-feely” Russell Brand during a 2009 interview on Australian breakfast show Sunrise.
The former Channel Seven show host interviewed the British comedian during his tour of the country that year in what was described as an ‘infamous and intimate meeting’.
Russell, now 48 and married to Laura Gallacher, was embroiled in a Dispatches exposé this week that exposed allegations of misconduct, rape and sexual assault – all of which he denies.
“Obviously he was always quite outrageous in his personality,” Armytage, 47, said The Daily Telegraph on Tuesday.
‘But I do remember him being very sensitive and thinking it was quite intense as I didn’t know him.’
Sam Armytage (pictured) recalls encountering a ‘very sensitive’ Russell Brand during a 2009 interview on Australian breakfast show Sunrise
During the 2009 segment with Armytage, Brand seductively munched on a banana and flirted with the blonde TV star, who blushed.
“If you came on my television as a teenager, I would make a mess of it. “I think you’re beautiful,” he joked.
Armytage responded that the comment was “friendly,” but Brand responded, “It’s not friendly… it’s just a bit rude.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Armytage asked Brand if he had a sex addiction, to which he replied in shock, “No! What? Sex addiction?’
During the 2009 segment with Armytage, Brand (pictured) seductively munched on a banana and flirted with the blonde TV star, who blushed
Samantha interviewed the British comedian during his tour of the country that year in what was described as an ‘infamous and intimate meeting’
Brand did admit that he had previously had a drug addiction. He told the host that he used drugs morning, noon and night, but had been sober for six years at that point.
The clip is just one of many that have resurfaced days after Russell was accused of rape and sexual assault by four different women.
The allegations came to light in a joint investigation by The Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches, which revealed a litany of accusations against the comedian turned wellness influencer.
The Metropolitan Police said it will speak to the media in the wake of the allegations to investigate Russell’s alleged treatment of women, but added that the force has currently “not received any reports in connection with” the sexual assault claims as described in the article or documentary.
Russell strongly denied the allegations in a YouTube video posted the day before the Dispatches special aired, describing the claims as “serious” and “disturbing.”
The clip is just one of many that have resurfaced days after Russell was accused of rape and sexual assault by four different women. Pictured: Russell Brand in 2014
The comedian, actor and internet personality told his 6.5 million subscribers late Friday night that “very, very serious criminal allegations” had been made against him, which he “absolutely refute.”
The comedian, actor and internet personality told his 6.5 million subscribers late Friday night that “very, very serious criminal allegations” had been made against him, which he “absolutely refute.”
Russell said he had received two “extremely disturbing letters” from a “mainstream media TV company” and a newspaper.
The father-of-two said the letters contained “a litany of extremely blatant and aggressive attacks, which are not true.”
Posting the video to And as I’ve described extensively in my books, I was very, very promiscuous.
“During that time of promiscuity, the relationships I had were absolutely always consensual. I was always transparent about it then and I am transparent about it now.
“And when I see transparency turning into something criminal, which I absolutely deny, it makes me wonder if there is another agenda at play,” he added.