KATHERINE Ryan was referring to Russell Brand when she slammed the infamous behavior of a comedian and she later called him a predator, it has been claimed.
Canadian comic Ryan, 40, has spoken about a well-known figure being notorious on the comedy circuit – now confirmed to be Brand, who denies allegations of rape and sexual assault.
Last year she told the Louis Theroux Interviews show she once confronted a co-star, saying: "I, in front of loads of people in the format of the show, said to this person’s face that they are a predator."
She declined to name the person, saying she feared a "litigious minefield", while also adding she had not been assaulted by them.
But The Times today said Ryan had confronted Brand, 48, while the pair were fellow judges on Comedy Central show Roast Battle in 2018.
Brand, who denies allegations of rape and sexual abuse, was reportedly called out repeatedly while filming.
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Producers dropped him from the programme after just one series, during which he reportedly faced on-camera allegations he had sexually assaulted women.
Ryan is said to have directed pointed remarks at him during taping although they never made Roast Battle's final edits.
The programme challenges comedians to launch one-liner joke insults at each other, in the tradition of US comedy "roasts".
Ryan reportedly aimed a barb at Brand, adding: "I will remind you of that if any victims come out."
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She is also said to have referred to his 14-month marriage to US pop star Katy Perry and his dumping of her by text message.
The Times quoted a production source as saying Brand was ""uncomfortable" at being made a target of jibes rather than simply performing as a judge.
They said: "After the show finished, Brand was furious that those two things had been said to him."
Brand's place on the judging panel was taken by Jonathan Ross for the show's second series.
Roast Battle's production company Fulwell 73 had reportedly grown "uncomfortable with the rumours swirling around Brand".
Brand has denied this weekend's accusations of rape, sexual assault and abuse against four women including one who was aged 16 at the time.
Allegations against the 48-year-old dad-of-two in a joint investigation by The Times and Channel 4's Dispatches include that he raped a woman against a wall at his Los Angeles apartment.
Four women say he attacked them between 2006 and 2013 at the height of his fame, when he had shows on BBC Radio 2 and Channel 4 and was starring in Hollywood films.
He is accused of rape and sexual assault as well as emotional and physical abuse, all of which he denies.
The Metropolitan Police has urged potential victims to come forward and both the BBC and Channel 4 have opened investigations.
Scotland Yard announced yesterday officers were investigating claims from 2003 after a woman came forward to report an alleged crime.
On Friday night Brand posted a video denying any wrongdoing to his YouTube channel, before any allegations had yet been published.
He insisted he "absolutely refutes" the accusations and described his previous relationships as being "always consensual".
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Brand acknowledged he was "promiscuous" at the height of his fame but denied any criminal aspect to his behaviour.
The Sun Online has approached Ryan's representatives for comment.
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