Ex-comic pays undisclosed amount over his failure to write books

Russell Brand has settled his legal dispute over his failure to write two self-help books.

Publisher Pan Macmillan had sued the ex-comedian for around £220,000 to recover the advance they had paid under a deal that was terminated after he was accused of sexual assault.

Now trade website The Bookseller reports that the case was settled earlier this year for an undisclosed sum, although the publisher declined to comment for legal reasons. 

Brand is currently awaiting trial on counts of rape and sexual assault, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

His company, Pablo Diablo’s Legitimate Business Firm Ltd, signed a £575,000 deal for two books in 2021, The Times reported last year, with Brand receiving £75,000 for the first book and £142,000 for the second. The documents also show a ghostwriter was paid £3,000 for a partial draft of the first book with no input from Brand.

The publishing industry severed ties with the comic after Times newspapers and Channel 4’s Dispatches aired allegations against him in September 2023.

However he has a new book out next week. How To Become A Christian In Seven Days will be published by Tucker Carlson Books, an imprint created by the right-wing commentator and former Fox News host. 

The title, which has the subtitle/disclaimer ‘May take 50 years of sin and serious f*ck ups to get started’ is described as ‘a guide to a timeless, yet zeitgeist-capturing, grounded, yet psychedelic encounter with Christ’.

The publishers say: ‘If you are beginning to awaken to the profound changes that are sweeping our planet and want an eyewitness account from the front line, described in gentle yet visceral prose, read this book now.’

It comes with testimonials from Joe Rogan, Jordan Peterson and Elon Musk.

Published: 6 May 2026