THE BBC and Channel 4, former employers of British actor and comedian Russell Brand, said yesterday they were investigating claims of rape, sexual assaults and emotional abuse over a seven-year period, which the 48-year-old has denied.

Four women have alleged sexual assaults between 2006 and 2013, when Brand was at the height of his fame working as a presenter for BBC Radio 2, Channel 4 and acting in Hollywood movies, a joint media investigation said Saturday.