Producer accused of laughing during Brand assault asked to ‘step back’ from role

ITV News · ITV News · 2026-11-06 10:35 UTC

Jack Bayles is the head of comedy at independent TV production company Various Artists Limited.

A former associate of Russell Brand who has been accused of watching and laughing while the comedian sexually assaulted a woman has been asked to “step back” from the company while they “consider the events surrounding the trial”.

Jack Bayles, the head of comedy at independent TV production company Various Artists Limited (VAL), will no longer work on two sitcoms the business was making for the BBC.

Brand, 51, is facing a lengthy prison sentence after being found guilty of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others during his showbusiness career.

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