Key Takeaways:
- The UK entertainment industry faced numerous scandals in 2025, including the Russell Brand saga, a politically charged Glastonbury Festival, and the BBC’s handling of various controversies.
- The year saw the continuation of high-profile feuds, such as the one between J.K. Rowling and Emma Watson, as well as new allegations against celebrities like Kevin Spacey and Prince Andrew.
- The BBC faced criticism for its handling of several issues, including the broadcast of a documentary about the Israel-Gaza war and the editing of a Donald Trump speech.
- Other notable scandals included the sacking of MasterChef presenters Gregg Wallace and John Torode, Lily Allen’s explosive album about her relationship with David Harbour, and the admission of guilt by rapper Ghetts in a hit-and-run case.
Introduction to the Scandals of 2025
The year 2025 was marked by a series of high-profile scandals in the UK entertainment industry. From the Russell Brand saga to the BBC’s handling of various controversies, the year was filled with eventful moments that captured the attention of the public. The Hollywood Reporter has compiled a list of the top entertainment scandals in Britain, in chronological order, to provide a comprehensive overview of the year’s most notable events.
The Russell Brand Saga
In May, Russell Brand appeared at a London court after being charged with rape, indecent and sexual assault. He pleaded not guilty to all five charges, which were brought against him following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police. The allegations against Brand date back to 2023, when detectives began investigating him after receiving a number of complaints. Brand has consistently denied the allegations and is scheduled to face trial in June 2026. The case has sparked widespread debate and discussion, with many calling for greater accountability and support for victims of sexual assault.
A Politically Charged Glastonbury Festival
The Glastonbury Festival, one of the UK’s largest music festivals, was marred by controversy in June. The festival’s official media partner, the BBC, came under fire for allowing a music act to continue live streaming despite chanting "death, death, death to the IDF" during their performance. The act, Bob Vylan, was later dropped by its agency and had its US visas revoked. The incident sparked a heated debate about free speech, anti-Semitism, and the role of the BBC in broadcasting controversial content. The BBC later admitted to breaking its own editorial guidelines by live broadcasting the performance, but stopped short of calling it an incitement or a violation of impartiality rules.
More MasterChef Mess
In July, the BBC sacked MasterChef presenters Gregg Wallace and John Torode after a report upheld allegations of inappropriate behavior on the set of the popular cooking show. The report found that Wallace had made 45 separate claims of inappropriate sexual language and humor, as well as culturally insensitive and racist comments, over a 19-year period. Torode was let go after a report stated that he had made a racist remark. The decision to air the latest season of MasterChef, which was filmed before the duo was fired, was met with criticism from some who felt that the BBC was prioritizing ratings over accountability.
J.K. Rowling Slams "Ignorant" Emma Watson
In September, Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling hit out at Emma Watson in a lengthy statement on X, telling users that Watson was "ignorant of how ignorant she is." The statement was in response to Watson’s comments on a podcast interview, where she expressed her "deepest wish" to separate her relationship with Rowling from their opposing views on trans rights. Rowling, a staunch advocate for anti-trans policies, has regularly come under fire for her transphobia and has been publicly criticized by Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, and Rupert Grint, who have expressed support for the trans community.
BBC Gaza Doc Consequences
In October, an investigation by British media regulator Ofcom found that the BBC’s documentary Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone broke broadcasting rules for being "materially misleading" to audiences. The documentary, which was about the Israel-Gaza war, failed to disclose that the narrator’s father held a position in the Hamas-run administration. The BBC apologized and accepted Ofcom’s decision, and the documentary was pulled from its streaming service. The incident has sparked a wider debate about the role of the BBC in reporting on sensitive and complex issues, and the need for greater transparency and accountability in journalism.
Prince-Less Andrew
In October, King Charles made public his decision to strip his disgraced brother, Prince Andrew, of his remaining titles and evict him from his royal residence. The decision came after weeks of pressure to act over Andrew’s relationship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew, who has continuously denied all claims against him, faced a new round of public opprobrium after emails emerged showing he had remained in contact with Epstein longer than he previously admitted. The incident has sparked a wider debate about the role of the royal family in modern society, and the need for greater accountability and transparency in their actions.
Lily Allen Drops Explosive Album
In October, British singer-songwriter Lily Allen dropped a new album, West End Girl, which goes into depth about her relationship with Stranger Things’ David Harbour and his alleged infidelity. The album includes lyrics about discovering a "Pussy Palace" with "sex toys, butt plugs, lube inside" during her open relationship, and a woman named "Madeline" who seemingly established a stronger connection with her partner than Allen was comfortable with. The album has sparked a heated debate about the nature of celebrity relationships and the role of social media in shaping public perceptions of private lives.
Fresh Spacey Claims
In November, it was confirmed that Kevin Spacey will face three more civil claims of sexual assault in London next year. The claims, which were brought by three separate men, allege that Spacey assaulted them between 2000 and 2013. Spacey has vehemently rejected the claims and has formally denied two out of the three made in November. The incident has sparked a wider debate about the need for greater accountability and support for victims of sexual assault, and the role of the entertainment industry in promoting a culture of respect and consent.
Supacell Star Admits Involvement in Hit-and-Run
In December, rapper Ghetts, star of the hit Netflix show Supacell, appeared in a London court and admitted to killing a young man in a hit-and-run. Ghetts, whose real name is Justin Clarke-Samuel, was charged with causing death by dangerous driving after allegedly failing to stop his car when it hit 20-year-old Yubin Tamang in east London. The incident has sparked a wider debate about the need for greater accountability and support for victims of road accidents, and the role of the entertainment industry in promoting a culture of respect and responsibility.
An Edited Trump Speech Blows Up the BBC
In December, Donald Trump decided to sue the BBC for $10 billion over an edited speech. The lawsuit claims that the BBC made "a false, defamatory, deceptive, disparaging, inflammatory and malicious depiction of President Trump" in a documentary that was aired one week before the 2024 presidential election. The incident has sparked a wider debate about the role of the media in shaping public perceptions of politicians, and the need for greater transparency and accountability in journalism. The BBC has stated that it will defend the case, and the incident is likely to have significant implications for the future of media reporting on politics.
