An awkward exchange between Russell Brand and Lorraine Kelly on The Graham Norton Show has resurfaced, showing the comedian touching the presenter’s thigh, commenting on her underwear and making a crude remark that she later admitted left her uncomfortable.

The footage dates back to 2007, when Brand and Kelly appeared together on the BBC chat show. It has attracted renewed attention following Brand’s conviction last week and his sentence of 10 years and six months in prison for one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.

The On-Air Exchange That Has Taken on a Different Meaning

During the interview, Brand was discussing his film career when he suddenly reached across and touched Kelly’s thigh.

“You’re wearing suspenders, Jesus Christ!” he exclaimed. “I’ve taken off more than I can chew. I’m out of my depth.”

Kelly laughed and attempted to quieten him, but Brand continued with another provocative remark:

“Yes, I have been in other films but it doesn’t seem so important now I know Lorraine Kelly’s a s**t.”

At the time, the exchange played out as part of the comedian’s familiar provocative television persona. Looking back, however, Kelly has described the interaction very differently.

Lorraine Kelly Admitted She Felt Uncomfortable Watching It Again

Kelly revisited the clip in 2023, following the broadcast of Channel 4’s Dispatches documentary examining allegations of rape and sexual assault against Brand.

Those allegations were separate from the criminal case and had not been proven at the time. Brand denied the accusations. The documentary prompted a police investigation and encouraged more women to come forward, with subsequent criminal proceedings leading to his conviction.

When Kelly watched the old footage on her own programme, she explained why she had laughed along during the original broadcast.

She said she had reacted like everyone else in the studio and regarded the behaviour as part of Brand’s established comedy persona.

“I usually got the charming Russell, the flirty Russell,” she recalled before watching the clip.

But her reaction after seeing it again was markedly different.

“That’s uncomfortable to watch now, it absolutely is. Obviously, for the record, I was not wearing suspenders at all.

“He was laughing, I was laughing. It’s difficult looking back on it, and now I probably would have said something, but it’s an entertainment show, that was his shtick.”

Other Public Figures Had Previously Spoken About His Behaviour

The resurfaced exchange has also brought renewed attention to comments made by other celebrities about Brand over the years.

His former wife, Katy Perry, described him as “very controlling” and “really hurtful” during a 2013 interview.

Comedian Sean Lock once declared that he “hated him” while appearing on 8 Out of 10 Cats. Meanwhile, Vanessa Feltz previously alleged that Brand had made a crude remark about her and her 15-year-old daughter.

The 2007 footage offers a reminder of how Brand’s provocative on-screen persona was received at the time — and how differently some of those moments are being viewed following his conviction.