British comedian and actor Russell Brand has formally denied a fresh set of rape and sexual assault allegations as legal proceedings against him continue to expand. The 50-year-old appeared before Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday, where he entered not guilty pleas to the latest charges, which relate to alleged incidents said to have taken place in 2009.

During the brief court hearing, Brand confirmed his identity and responded “not guilty” to one count of rape and one count of sexual assault. The session was procedural in nature and focused solely on recording his pleas. No evidence was presented at this stage, and the court did not hear arguments from either side. Further procedural hearings are expected before the case proceeds to trial.

According to reports from LBC, the newly filed charges stem from alleged incidents in London in 2009. Prosecutors authorised the additional counts after investigators reviewed further material as part of an ongoing inquiry. The expansion of charges follows continued examination of evidence gathered during the broader investigation.

Brand has consistently denied all allegations made against him and maintains that his past relationships were consensual. His legal team has not yet presented its full defence in court, as the case remains in the pre-trial phase.

This marks the second time Brand has formally rejected criminal charges in the ongoing case. Previously, he pleaded not guilty to five sexual offence charges, including two counts of rape, one count of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault. Those earlier allegations relate to incidents alleged to have occurred between 1999 and 2005 and involve four separate women.

The trial concerning the earlier charges is currently scheduled for June 2026. The newly added counts are also expected to be addressed during those proceedings, meaning the scope of the upcoming trial could encompass allegations spanning a decade.

The investigation into Brand began in 2023 after multiple women made allegations of sexual misconduct in media reports. Shortly after those claims surfaced, the Metropolitan Police launched a formal inquiry. Detectives gathered witness statements, reviewed documentary material and assessed available evidence. Following that review, the Crown Prosecution Service determined there was sufficient basis to bring charges.

Under UK law, individuals who make complaints in sexual offence cases are granted lifelong anonymity, meaning their identities cannot be disclosed publicly. Legal experts often note that cases involving allegations dating back many years can present evidentiary challenges, particularly where physical evidence may be limited and cases rely heavily on witness testimony.

Brand rose to prominence in the early 2000s as a stand-up comedian and television presenter known for his provocative style and outspoken persona. He later expanded into radio broadcasting and film, becoming a recognisable figure both in the UK and internationally. In recent years, he has shifted much of his public presence to online platforms, where he comments on politics, culture and current affairs.

As the legal process unfolds, Brand remains on bail. The court has not set a new trial date beyond the previously scheduled June 2026 proceedings, but additional administrative hearings are expected in the coming months.

It is important to note that entering a not guilty plea is a standard legal step in criminal proceedings and does not determine the outcome of the case. The burden remains on the prosecution to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt. Until a verdict is reached, Brand is presumed innocent under UK law.

The case continues to draw significant public attention due to Brand’s high-profile career and the serious nature of the allegations. However, substantive details and evidence will only be examined fully when the matter goes to trial. For now, the proceedings remain in the pre-trial stage, with the courts set to address both the earlier and newly added charges in the months ahead.

Hilary Duff is mourning the loss of her on-screen father, Robert Carradine, who died by suicide at the age of 71 on February 24. As Duff reflects on her early-2000s memories amid her recent pop music comeback, she took a moment to honor the actor who played her dad on the beloved Lizzie McGuire.

Sharing nostalgic photos from their time on set, Duff opened up about the warmth and sense of security she felt as part of the fictional McGuire family. Her tribute was heartfelt and deeply personal, revealing just how meaningful those years were to her.

“This one hurts. It’s really hard to face this reality about an old friend. There was so much warmth in the McGuire family and I always felt so cared for by my on-screen parents. I’ll be forever grateful for that,” she wrote.

Duff went on to express sorrow over Carradine’s private struggles. “I’m deeply sad to learn Bobby was suffering. My heart aches for him, his family, and everyone who loved him,” she added, acknowledging the pain behind the headlines.

Carradine portrayed Sam McGuire, Lizzie’s supportive and often humorous father, on the Disney Channel hit series that aired from 2001 to 2004. His performance brought a grounded, slightly quirky charm to the role, balancing the chaos of teenage life with steady parental warmth. For many fans who grew up watching the show, he became synonymous with the comforting presence of a sitcom dad navigating adolescence alongside his daughter.

Duff was not alone in her grief. Her former co-star Jake Thomas, who played Lizzie’s younger brother Matt on the series, also paid tribute to Carradine with a deeply personal message. Reflecting on their years working together — and the bond that extended beyond the set — Thomas described him as unforgettable.

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“He was one of the coolest guys you could ever meet. Funny, pragmatic, sometimes cranky, always a little eccentric,” Thomas wrote. He praised Carradine as “a talented actor, musician, and director,” but emphasized that beyond his professional accomplishments, “more than anything, he was family.”

Thomas recalled years filled with shared laughter, creative collaboration, and even life’s inevitable challenges. His message highlighted the close-knit atmosphere that defined the Lizzie McGuire cast, a bond that clearly endured long after the cameras stopped rolling.

Lalaine, who portrayed Lizzie’s best friend Miranda on the show, also expressed her sorrow in a private Instagram post shared through media reports. In her tribute, she thanked Carradine for his “constant fatherly like support” and said she felt grateful for their final conversation — a sentiment that underscored the personal connections formed during the series’ run.

Carradine’s family confirmed his passing in a public statement, describing him as “a beacon of light to everyone around him” even during difficult times. They also revealed that he had battled bipolar disorder for nearly two decades, calling it a “valiant struggle.” In their message, they expressed hope that sharing his story would help reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.

“We hope his journey can shine a light and encourage addressing the stigma that attaches to mental illness,” the family said, while requesting privacy as they process their loss.

Born into the renowned Carradine acting family, Robert Carradine built a career spanning decades across film and television. Yet for an entire generation of millennials, his most enduring role remains that of Lizzie McGuire’s dad — the steady presence who offered guidance, humor, and unconditional love in the midst of teenage turmoil.

As Hilary Duff revisits the era that launched her career, her tribute serves as a poignant reminder of the genuine bonds formed behind the scenes. Beyond scripts and studio lights, there were real friendships and shared memories. In remembering Carradine, Duff and her former co-stars are honoring not only a talented actor, but a man who left a lasting imprint on their lives — and on the hearts of fans who grew up with him.

South Korean actor Oh Dal-Su, widely recognised by international audiences for his appearance in Squid Game Season 2, has once again spoken about the sexual misconduct allegations that surfaced during the height of the #MeToo movement. Although he was cleared of charges in 2019, the 57-year-old actor recently addressed the controversy in a detailed interview, stating firmly that he cannot accept being labelled a rapist.

The allegations first emerged in February 2018, when a woman accused Oh of sexual abuse dating back to the 1990s, during his early years working in theatre. At the time, Oh initially denied the claims. However, as more accusations surfaced, including one made publicly by actress Uhm Ji-Young on JTBC Newsroom regarding an alleged incident in 2003, the actor admitted to acts of sexual harassment and issued an apology to the women who came forward.

In his recent interview with Edaily, Oh reflected on the personal and professional toll the allegations took on him. He explained that being publicly named during the height of the #MeToo movement left him confused and fearful of saying anything that might be misinterpreted or prematurely reported.

“I believe that, regardless of the situation, it is right to present a clear, accurate, and prompt position. However, when I suddenly became the subject of the Me Too movement, it was very confusing. I was afraid that even a single word spoken carelessly might be reported prematurely,” he said.

While reiterating his apology to the two women who said they were hurt, Oh drew a distinction between acknowledging inappropriate behaviour and accepting criminal labels. “I would like to once again apologise to the two women. However, I am not a rapist or a sexual offender. I have not lived that way,” he stated.

He added that if any women were hurt during relationships with him in his younger years, he takes responsibility for his immaturity at the time. “If there were women who were hurt in relationships with me during my immature twenties, I want to apologize for that alone and reproach my younger self. But I cannot accept living my entire life labeled a ‘rapist’ based on the words of those two individuals,” he said.

Oh further elaborated on his perspective regarding relationships and consent. “I believe that when a man and a woman engage in a sexual relationship, their intentions may not always completely align. The greater that difference is, the more it can be considered sexual assault. If a woman who was in a relationship with me remembers that experience as painful, then I believe it is right to apologize first, without hesitation,” he explained.

Following the allegations in 2018, Oh stepped away from the entertainment industry for several years. During his hiatus, he reportedly moved to Geoje Island and took up farming, distancing himself from public life. Authorities eventually closed the case without a formal investigation, citing the expiration of the statute of limitations, as the alleged incidents dated back to the 1990s. He was officially cleared of charges in 2019.

Oh’s return to mainstream acting came with Squid Game Season 2, the globally successful Netflix series. Reports indicated that his casting initially faced opposition due to the past controversy. In the series, he portrays Captain Park, a sailor who assists detective Hwang Jun-Ho, played by Wi Ha-Joon. The character later aids protagonist Seong Gi-Hun — also known as Player 456 — portrayed by Lee Jung-Jae, in their mission to uncover the location of the deadly games and dismantle the organisation behind them.

Despite returning to the screen, Oh continues to face scrutiny over the past allegations. While he maintains that he did not commit rape or sexual assault, he has acknowledged behaviour he describes as immature during his younger years. His recent interview signals an effort to clarify his position once again — balancing apology with a firm denial of criminal wrongdoing.