brands

COMIC Russell Brand’s rape trial has been delayed by four months and is expected to last eight weeks — up from five — due to “numerous” and expanded charges.

The screen star, 50, faces three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one indecent assault against six women from 1999 to 2009.

Brand — who denies all the charges in full — was facing trial at Southwark crown court on June 12.

But Mr Justice Joel Bennathan KC put it back until October 12.

He noted an eight-week trial in June would run into August — with potential summer holiday and travel interruptions.

Brand, of Hambleden, Bucks, didn’t attend court today.

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STAR IN DOCK

Russell Brand has bible confiscated as he denies fresh offences including rape

BRAND TRIAL

Russell Brand to face court in US over ‘sexual assault’ allegations

Brand had appeared in court last month and denied charges of rape and sexual assault against two women in 2009.

Before the hearing, Brand took out a copy of the bible and began reading it but it was confiscated by the dock officer until the case was done.

The Met Police launched a probe into the TV presenter in September 2023 after The Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches published an investigation into allegations over his treatment of women.

Following the charge, Brand told his 11.3million X followers that he was “never a rapist”.

He added: “I’ve always told you guys that when I was young and single, before I had a wife and family… I was a fool, man.

“I was a fool before I lived in the light of the Lord… I have never engaged in non consensual activity, I pray you can see that by looking in my eyes.”

Brand, who was previously married to pop star Katy Perry, shares three children with his wife, Laura Gallacher, 37.

TIKTOK star Becki Jones has defended her amazing weight loss as trolls continue to accuse her of using fat loss jabs or getting surgery.

The influencer rose to fame on the video streaming platform back in 2020 and after a six month break last year, returned to TikTok sporting a much slimmer frame.

Becki told her 1.3 million followers during a TikTok Live last year that she “wasn’t ready” to share how she’d transformed her image but in her latest video, said she’d been through some of the hardest times in her life while losing weight.

In the video she posted a montage of moments from recent months that showed her swimming in a pool, going to concerts, showing off cute outfits and working out in her room.

In a voiceover she started by saying that she doesn’t understand why she has to explain every detail of her life to strangers.

“Yes, I do put myself on a public platform. Yes, I post my life. But why should I have to defend myself against people’s thoughts on my weight loss?” she began.

SOCIAL SECRETS

Becki Jones makes cryptic comment about ‘not being honest’ after weight loss

DI-WOAH

Becki Jones treats her parents to lounge makeover but trolls mock ‘silly’ detail

“I’ve said I have not had surgery in any form or any medication to help aid weight loss.

“In 2023, I even considered gastric sleeve surgery myself but I changed my mind.”

Becki continued: “As you can imagine it is exhaust trying to prove something to people who don’t want to change their mind about you.

“I feel like I am an easy target for people to bully because that’s what broke me last year.”

The influencer said that while she did understand that some of her followers wanted to learn about her weight loss, others thought she owed them an explanation.

“I simply and politely don’t want to talk about it.

“I’ve been through some of the worst times of my life whilst losing weight and still some days are hard now and now I’m being a little closed off and only letting a few things out, but can we just stop and think about how things affect me?” Becki asked.

“Yes, I feel good in myself most days, but I have hard days just like every human does.

“I have my own fears and problems that I’m trying to overcome each day, which makes talking about weight loss Extremely difficult.”

She explained how a lot of her followers “speculated on things” happening in her life, “and one day I may talk more deeply about it all but it’s hard as a content creator to tell your story without being judged.”

Becki went on to thank her “loyal supporters” for their support and who “compliment my weight without wanting an explanation”.

She became famed on TikTok for her ‘what I eat in a day’ videos, which showed her enjoying foods such as McDonalds for breakfast, takeaways and treats.

Last year, a source told The Sun why Becki really left social media, and why she returned.

They explained: “Everyone knows Becki took six months offline because she felt the trolling had become too much.

“It was a real chance to reflect on her life and the main cause of issues – her weight. She’s also a secret smoker, so really did start to feel like her lifestyle wasn’t doing her any favours. 

“Once she started losing some weight, she felt a new wave of confidence and when she returned online and saw the reaction to the way she looked, it really spurred her on.”

They added: “It’s the same when she was larger and the more she ate, the more people watched her videos. At the end of the day, it’s all about engagement and making money. It’s addictive.”

KATIE Price’s furious sister Sophie has revealed her true thoughts on the glamour model’s whirlwind marriage to Lee Andrews – admitting she was left shocked over the nuptials.

The mum-of-five married Lee in Dubai just ten days after meeting him, leaving her friends and family back home blindsided.

Following the nuptials, we revealed how Katie’s family were worried for the star and concerned Lee was a ‘conman’ .

It came after he was unmasked as fantasist businessman who faked celebrity links using AI-generated photos.

Katie and Sophie even pulled the plug on their weekly podcast, The Katie Price Show, as the eponymous star admitted her family were ‘angry’.

But now, they have made up and returned to the show with a comeback episode – during which Sophie revealed her true thoughts on the situation.

KATIE’S FEAR

Katie Price warns ‘Harvey will die of a heart attack’ as she begs for fat jabs

family woes

Katie Price admits hospitalised mum cried and ‘was traumatised’ after marriage

Opening the show – which is their first since late January – Katie revealed that her year so far has been ‘fantastic’.

While Sophie said her has been ‘s**t’ due to her sister’s antics.

She began: “I’m not going to lie, this year for me has not been great.

“Mine has been a really f***ing s**t start to the year.”

Katie replied: “But you have had s*** as well. Do you know what I mean?”

“Yeah, caused by you,” said Sophie.

She added: “You, this year, you, this year have been a pain in the a**.

“No, it’s not funny. Mum has been horrendous, is she talking to you yet?”

Katie confirmed that she is talking to her mum, who is currently in hospital.

As they spoke about their mum Amy, Sophie added that Katie had “traumatised” the whole family with her shock romance.

The pair then moved on to other news throughout the episode as Sophie said she “didn’t want to hear it” when it came to conversation surrounding Lee.

SINGER Anne-Marie has sparked concern after branding herself a “wreck” in a new social media message.

The star tweeted a lengthy message in which she also suggested people “wouldn’t care” about her “emotional” struggles.

Anne-Marie, 34, took to X earlier today to share the rare personal message in which she also addressed her parenting struggles and ‘mum-guilt’ amid attempts to revive her fledgling music career.

The star began by writing: “Feeling emotional today. Sorry I been distant.

“Not sure if you care but I do. I’m working really hard to get this right.”

Her concerning post continued as she addressed her compromising work-life balance.

TOUGH TIME

Anne-Marie says she felt ‘mad’ & like a ‘bad mum’ but was scared to ask for help

CIAO OLD ME

Anne-Marie promises ‘spicy’ new album and reveals star she turns to for advice

The Ciao Adios singer penned: “Still figuring out how to be a good mum AND write the best album you’ve heard from me. It’s intense.

“I want to post, but I look and feel like a wreck most of the time.”

She added: “I know you don’t care about that though hahah.

“I miss you all so much and hope you are feeling as happy as you can be.”

Anne-Marie signed off her message by posting: “A cuddle is needed.”

The mum-of-two’s post sparked worry among her fans as many rushed to check in on the performer and insist they “do care” after her troubling words.

One said to her: “Anne marie you never ever need to apologise for being distant. You’re balancing being a mum, being human, and creating something beautiful for all of us that’s a lot for anyone.”

Another echoed: “We all care about you so much. You prioritise yourself, your health and your family.”

Another alarmed fan penned: “I’m proud of you. Speaking out is already so brave.”

Before a fourth went on to comment: “You didn’t have to force yourself, we care about it and care about you. Take care yourself and kids love u.”

Anne-Marie welcomed her first child with rapper husband Slowthai in February 2024 months before he faced a trial relating to charges of rape.

Her partner faced a criminal trial later that year whilst she was pregnant with their second child.

Slowthai was ultimately found not guilty of the crimes.

The couple’s second child was born in April last year.

The singer has been attempting to head back to the top of the charts after her latest single released failed to make a dent on the singles charts.

Her latest single, Depressed, managed to reach number 41 – a far cry from her top ten streak of hits eight years ago.

A collaboration with Aitch, also released last year, also failed to chart.

Speaking to The Sun last year, she affirmed her plans to continue working on her fourth album despite recent setbacks.

She told us: “Next year there will be new music.

“I think I need to switch it up a bit… Will I be rapping? Who knows.

“I am definitely switching it up.

“I need to make it exciting again, you know.

“I can’t just come back as the same Anne Marie I have been for ten years.

“I am going to do a little spice.”