Russell Brand, David Walliams and Married at First Sight: Is this a reckoning for TV?

bbc news Nov 14, 2026 00:43 1 min read 1 reads

These stories represent the consequences of changes that began years ago, rather than being a sudden cultural shift.

Image source, Reuters

Image caption,

A jury at Southwark Crown Court found Russell Brand guilty of one count of rape and three of sexual assault

ByNoor NanjiCulture correspondent

This week, the dark side of television has come crashing into the open.

On Monday, disgraced entertainer Russell Brand was jailed for rape and sexual assault.

Twenty-four hours later, author and comedian David Walliams was unmasked and accused of preying on young women.

By Friday the Metropolitan Police had launched an investigation into further allegations about him.