A ‘creepy’ clip of Russell Brand appearing to forcefully plant a kiss on Liz Hayes’ lips while trying to unclip her bra has resurfaced amid shocking rape allegations.
The Australian journalist had been interviewing the actor and comedian for a segment on Nine's Sunday night show, 60 Minutes, back in 2012.
The lighthearted chat ended with Brand grabbing Hayes and kissing her, even jokingly commenting about unhooking her bra as he felt around her back.
Brand — who vehemently denies recent allegations of rape, sexual assault and harrassment – grabbed the reporter and clasped her to him in a tight embrace.
The experienced TV journalist tried to remain professional and attempted to pull away, putting her hand between them and thanking Brand for his time.
A crowd of what appeared to be the actor’s entourage watched on as the incident unfolded.
Brand then partially released the reporter from his grip, before asking her “How can I undo your bra? Just like this …” as his put his arm on her back.
Hayes appeared shocked as he walked away grinning, before turning around and saying: “Liz, I love you!”.
Hayes, now 67, relived the moment in a retrospective special in 2021 where she looked back on her four decades in journalism.
“When you interview Russell Brand you don’t really know who is going to show up,” she said in 2021.
“Seasoned as I am as a journalist, I am prepared for all events and all kinds of people.
“And when Russell Brand decided he would like to kiss me, well, you size up the situation.
“You think, ‘Mmm-hmm. Am I in danger? What could go wrong?’”
Brand had earlier warned her in the interview: “I’m a tricky little swine. I’m a trickster. I’m a raven. I’m a playful coyote looking for mischief.”
Reflecting on the incident, Hayes said that “the naughty Russell ended the day”.
News.com.au has reached out to Nine for comment.
The allegations against Brand, which is worth noting do not involve Hayes or anyone at Nine, are claimed to have taken place between 2006 and 2013, while he was a presenter for BBC Radio 2 and Channel 4 in the UK before then becoming a star in Hollywood.
The explosive claims reported by The Times and Channel Four after a joint investigation include accounts of four women who allege that Brand raped, sexually assaulted, or harassed them.
He vehemently denies the allegations, posting a video late on Friday night local time, strongly refuting what he described as “very serious criminal allegations” made against him.
In the report, one woman alleges Brand raped her against the wall in his Los Angeles home.
A second woman alleges that Brand sexually assaulted her when he was 31 and she was 16 and still at school.
A third woman alleged the comedian sexually assaulted her while she worked with him in Los Angeles and that he threatened her with legal action if she told anyone.
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A fourth woman who also worked with Brand claimed he “flashed his penis” at her and insinuated that she perform oral sex on him.
Russell Brand has not been criminally charged and there is currently no suggestion that police are investigating the allegations.
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