Russell Brand and Wife Ask for Prayers as Rape Trial Begins

Russell Brand and his wife, Laura Gallacher, have publicly asked their supporters to pray for them as the comedian faces a trial on multiple charges of rape and sexual assault. The trial, which could span six weeks, began jury selection on Monday at Southwark Crown Court.

Brand, 51, and Gallacher, 39, appeared together at the court, arriving and leaving hand-in-hand, and did not respond to questions from reporters. The trial is expected to commence on Wednesday.

The couple, who have been married since 2017, recently launched a Christian YouTube show called "Sunday Service." Gallacher, typically private, has set aside her reclusive nature to support her husband, announcing on their show that it would continue throughout the trial.

"Pray for us if you feel so inclined," Brand told viewers of their show. He added that they would "do our best to respect the important restrictions that exist around court cases to ensure truth and justice can be done." Gallacher also stated that continuing the show would be a way to "anchor ourselves in faith and trust during difficult times."

Brand faces accusations of raping and sexually assaulting six women between 1999 and 2009. He has pleaded not guilty to three charges of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one allegation of indecent assault. Previous court hearings have detailed specific allegations, including an alleged rape in a hotel room at the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth, an incident involving a TV worker, and another involving a radio station worker.

The couple, who moved to the United States with their three children approximately three years ago, are now back in Britain for the trial. Brand has previously stated that while he was "very, very promiscuous" in his youth, his sexual relationships were always consensual.

Gallacher, the daughter of golfing legend Bernard Gallacher and sister of sports broadcaster Kirsty Gallacher, has described their relationship as fun. She has also become a devout Christian, though she previously expressed reservations about the exposure that her husband's online content could bring.

"I don't find it easy, and that's why I don't ever really want to be doing any of it," she said of his broadcasts. "I have so many questions about it, and the exposure it inevitably leads to does expose you to a sort of dark energy."

Despite her earlier reservations, Gallacher has become increasingly involved in their "Sunday Service" show, with Brand often crediting her for her support through difficult periods. The couple first met 11 years ago when Gallacher was recovering from a relationship breakdown, and they married in 2017.

Brand, a former Hollywood actor known for films such as "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and the "Despicable Me" franchise, has seen his public image shift in recent years due to allegations about his treatment of women. He was arrested in 2023, by which time he had largely focused on podcasting and spirituality. He embraced Christianity and was baptized in the River Thames in 2024.