Katy Perry’s nickname for her ex-husband Russell Brand has been revealed as he faces allegations of rape and sexual assault.
Writing in The Sun, broadcaster Piers Morgan said Perry told him that she called the comedian Rasputin.
Rasputin means “debauched one” in Russian and is a historic figure who was known for seducing women.
Morgan told Brand about the nickname during an interview to which the comedian and actor responded: “I like Rasputin... he was all right, wasn’t he... a mad monk with magical, mystical powers, having it off with everyone, drinking and getting into fights.”
Rasputin rose to prominence as a faith healer and his work with the heir to the Russian throne, who suffered from haemophilia, made him a powerful man at court during the reign of the last czar, Nicholas II.
His power won him many admirers but also made him enemies and a group of Russian nobles eventually murdered him.
The BBC, Channel 4 and a production company have said they are “urgently” investigating after four women made separate allegations of sexual assault against Brand.
The claims were made in a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches, and include allegations about Brand’s allegedly controlling, abusive and predatory behaviour.
Brand vehemently denies the allegations and said all of his relationships have been “consensual”, in a video posted online
Brand was married to Perry from 2010 to 2012, and is now married to Laura Gallacher, the sister of presenter Kirsty Gallacher. The couple have two children, Mabel and Peggy, with a third on the way.
In recent years Brand has used his YouTube channel, which has millions of subscribers, to cover topical news stories, including alleged misinformation surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic and being an outspoken sceptic of vaccination.
The Standard has approached Perry’s spokespeople for comment.
