Russell Model postpones all tour dates as ex-Channel 4 editor labels allegations as ‘MeToo’ second for TV

A Authorities minister has urged ladies who’ve skilled sexual assault to report it to the police.

Requested by LBC radio host Nick Ferrari what broadcasters ought to do within the wake of allegations in opposition to Russell Model, which the comic and actor has denied, pensions minister Laura Trott informed LBC radio: “I believe all people must do higher.

“I believe no girl, Nick, studying the allegations that have been in every single place this weekend might do something aside from shudder. It’s horrific.

“And I pay absolute tribute to the ladies who’ve come ahead and likewise the journalists which have pursued this, the editors who’ve allowed them to try this, the funding that’s been put in place and the massive authorized threat that’s taken for tales equivalent to these.

“All of us have to do higher. And I’d simply plead any girl who’s had experiences like this to come back ahead and to report them to the police.”

Russell Model has 6.61 million subscribers on YouTube, which is about the identical quantity as he had earlier than the newest allegations about rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse turned public.

It’s a sizeable viewers – somewhat larger, for instance, than the extra healthful Ant and Dec can pull in for ITV on a Saturday night – and one which has clearly not been so repulsed by the claims about him to take the time to unsubscribe. Nor has Google (corporately listed as Alphabet Inc), proprietor of YouTube, seen match to “cancel” Model, who should convey them (in addition to himself) substantial revenues.

As was obvious on the very night the story broke, Model was nonetheless in a position to fill a theatre, although his efficiency was reportedly distracted. His fan base, misguided or not, are sticking with him, most remarking that he’s harmless till confirmed responsible in a courtroom of legislation – ie past affordable doubt and setting a comparatively excessive bar earlier than they withdraw their adulation.

Scandal-ridden comic. Hollywood husband. Drug addict-turned-wellness-guru. Left-wing activist. Conspiracy theorist. Over the course of twenty years within the highlight, the British stand-up and presenter Russell Model has put ahead many various personas to the general public. Now, one other, darker aspect to the comedian has emerged, as he has been accused of rape, sexual assault and emotionally abusing 4 ladies.

Model launched a video on Saturday 17 September earlier than the allegations have been made public to disclaim “critical legal allegations” ,which he stated associated to his “promiscuous” previous.

The 48-year-old comic and actor stated he “completely refutes” the claims and prompt two “mainstream media retailers” have been making a “coordinated” assault in opposition to him. Later that day, a joint Sunday Instances and Channel 4 Dispatches investigation was launched, revealing the allegations in opposition to him.

The allegations which have been made in opposition to Russell Model are “one of many MeToo moments for TV”, the previous Editor-at-Massive of Channel 4 has stated.

Dorothy Byrne informed Channel 4 Information: “Traditionally there was a tradition in tv of placing up with appalling behaviour by some males on the idea they’re so-called stars.”

Dame Maria Miller MP, former tradition secretary and ladies’s minister, prompt non-disclosure agreements must be outlawed within the leisure trade if they’ve been used to silence individuals over alleged incidents involving Russell Model.

She informed Sky Information’ Politics Hub that the organisations concerned ought to present “a proof as to why they didn’t have practices in place for individuals who needed to talk out”.

“I believe they’ve acquired to be held accountable for the way in which they’re treating their employees,” she stated.

“I additionally wish to dig extra into among the feedback that have been remodeled the weekend about individuals not feeling nonetheless in a position to communicate out about these situations and notably feedback from each the BBC and likewise the expertise firm which made me really feel that perhaps non-disclosure agreements had been used probably resulting in individuals being silenced about issues which at the moment are patently points that might be legal allegations.”

Requested whether or not using NDAs must be checked out, she replied: “We’ve seen not solely on this case however in different situations the place media organisations have routinely been… been utilizing trade customary non-disclosure secrecy provisions inside contracts that they use when individuals endure illegal wrongdoing at work. I hope this isn’t the case right here, however whether it is I hope it offers impetus to the Authorities to take motion.”

She added: “There’s been motion taken to cease use of NDAs in universities and maybe this occasion with Russell Model, if there are non-disclosure agreements concerned, would point out we have to take the identical motion to outlaw their use throughout… the leisure trade too.”

Russell Model’s writer introduced it’s “pausing” all future guide initiatives with the comic after allegations of sexual assault have been made in opposition to him.

Bluebird, an imprint of Pan Macmillan, has printed Model’s titles together with Restoration: Freedom From Our Addictions and Mentors: How To Assist And Be Helped in recent times.

In a press release to the PA information company, the corporate stated: “These are very critical allegations and within the mild of them, Bluebird has taken the choice to pause all future publishing with Russell Model.”

An upcoming title, Restoration: The Workbook, by the 48-year-old actor and presenter was attributable to be printed by Bluebird in December 2025, in response to firm’s web site.

“Why are they solely speaking about this now?” “Why didn’t they report it to the police?” “Did they convey it upon themselves?” “Are they doing it for the cash?” “Is that this all only a plan to take down one other profitable man?”

It doesn’t matter whether or not it’s the president of the US, a slapstick comedian or somebody’s brother-in-law – when ladies communicate out about alleged male violence, we hear the identical, predictable responses.

Even earlier than the allegations of sexual assault and rape had been shared by The Sunday Instances, hundreds took to social media to criticise the ladies as liars, consideration seekers, fame-hungry, mentally ailing… even vegetation from the federal government.

Something however telling the reality.

Shortly after the discharge of “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” Kristen Bell informed interviewers that she needed to “intimidate” her co-star Russell Model to verify he understood she was not concerned with a sexual relationship with him through the shoot.

Her recollections of her time with the British actor and comic have been dredged up within the wake of allegations that he raped and sexually assaulted various ladies on the peak of his fame.

A joint investigation by The Instances, The Sunday Instances, and Channel 4 Dispatches highlighted the tales of 4 ladies — together with one who was a minor on the time — who say Model both raped or sexually assaulted them between 2006 and 2013. Model has denied the allegations.