Russell Brand’s wife Laura Gallacher stood by the comedian as he arrived at Southwark Crown Court for the start of his rape and sexual assault trial.

The 51-year-old was pictured arriving at court in a navy suit and sunglasses alongside Laura on Monday (October 12), as a large media presence gathered for the beginning of the proceedings.

Brand faces three counts of rape, three charges of sexual assault and one allegation of indecent assault relating to six women.

The alleged offences are said to have taken place between 1999 and 2009.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and the trial is expected to last up to 10 weeks, beginning with jury selection.

But while Brand is well known for his career in comedy, television and film, his wife Laura has largely pursued her own business ventures away from the spotlight.

Laura, born on June 28, 1987, is an author, illustrator and entrepreneur.

She is the daughter of former professional golfer Bernard Gallacher and his wife Lesley, and the younger sister of television presenter Kirsty Gallacher.

Laura and Kirsty grew up on the exclusive Wentworth Estate in Surrey, an area that has previously been home to famous names including Elton John and Cliff Richard.

Rather than following her sister into television, Laura has developed her own creative career.

She released her first book, The Joy Journal, in 2020 and went on to establish a brand of the same name.

The business focuses on creativity, individuality and fun, with Laura also selling her own range of dungarees.

Describing the idea behind the clothing on her official website, she said: “The Joy Journal is about creativity, colour, individuality and fun.

“These dungarees are an expression of that spirit. Craft, not couture, comfortable cool, not catwalk.

These dungarees are the first Joy Journal Project.”

The couple’s relationship dates back to 2007, when they briefly dated before reconnecting following Brand’s divorce from pop star Katy Perry.

Brand proposed to Laura in June 2016, and the pair married in August 2017 in an intimate ceremony at Remenham Church near their home in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

They have children together, with Brand announcing in June 2023 that they were expecting their third child during an interview on Steven Bartlett’s podcast, The Diary of a CEO.

Speaking about how becoming a father had changed him, Brand said: “It taught me there is a lot more important in this world than me.”

He added: “There’s a lot more important stuff in this world than what I want, think or reckon. It taught me that love is real. It teaches you everything to become a father. All lessons are there.”

Brand rose to fame as a stand-up comedian before becoming a household name through television appearances, including Big Brother’s Big Mouth, and radio programmes on BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music.

He later appeared in Hollywood films including Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek, before turning towards podcasting in more recent years.

The current trial follows allegations relating to six women.

Brand denies the charges against him, and the allegations will be considered by the court as the proceedings continue.