RUSSELL Brand's relationship with his wife's family has come under scrutiny after allegations of rape and sexual assault were levelled at the comedian.
Brand married Laura in 2017 – but claims have emerged about her father's opposition to the match.
Brand's father-in-law Bernard Gallacher is said to have begged his daughter not to be with the comedian, who denies accusations of rape and sexual assault.
And while it initially seemed Brand was being supported by Laura's family, it appears that has changed.
His sister-in-law Kirsty shared an Instagram story on Saturday morning including his YouTube denial of any wrongdoing, which she captioned with a love heart emoji.
But television and radio presenter Kirsty, 47, appears to have deleted it later that day.
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The allegations against Brand were aired on Saturday evening in Channel 4 Dispatches documentary following a joint investigation with The Times.
Brand had shared his YouTube video on Friday night in which he denied any wrongdoing and claimed there was a "co-ordinated media attack" against him.
Kirsty's sister and Brand's wife Laura, 36, has not spoken in response to the allegations and has seemingly deleted her Instagram.
Brand and Laura first dated in 2007 – introduced to each other by ex-Sky Sports host Kirsty – then got back together in 2015, before marrying two years later.
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They have two daughters Mabel and Penny and Laura was recently pregnant with their third child.
Legendary Scottish golfer Bernard Gallacher, 74, was reportedly delighted when the pair first split in 2007.
He is said to have had concerns about the age gap, with Laura 19 and Brand 30 when they first got together.
A friend was quoted telling MailOnline at the time: "He begged her to end it."
Gallacher captained Europe to Ryder Cup glory against the United States in 1995.
Brand and Laura reunited following a chance encounter when she was taking a walk with a friend after a recent break-up.
'DETERMINED TO GET THROUGH THIS'
She told Grazia magazine in 2020: "My ex had literally moved out of our flat that day and I was heartbroken, with mascara running down my face.
“A friend dragged me out on a walk to the canal in east London, where I'd never been in my life, and as we came onto the footpath Russell was standing there like he'd organised it."
She is said to be standing by him following Saturday's claims, with a friend quoted as saying the couple are "determined to get through this".
Brand proposed in June 2016 and they tied the knot in Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire in August the following year.
He previously married US pop star Katy Perry in October 2010 but they divorced in July 2012.
He has denied Saturday's allegations of rape, sexual assault and abuse against four women including one who was just 16 at the time.
Four women say he attacked them at the height of his fame between 2006 and 2013, when he was a presenter on BBC Radio 2 and Channel 4 and starring in Hollywood movies.
He is accused of not only rape and sexual assault but also emotional and physical abuse, which he denies.
The Metropolitan Police urged other potential victims to come forward while the BBC and Channel 4 have opened investigations.
Scotland Yard said yesterday they were investigating after being contacted by a woman alleging she was sexually assaulted by Brand in London's Soho in 2003.
And a former model also told of Brand tailing her demanding sex for what "felt like a lifetime", saying: "He’s like the Terminator. You can’t get rid of him."
Brand posted a video on his personal YouTube channel on Friday night, before any allegations had been published yet.
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He said he "absolutely refutes" the accusations and insisted all his previous relationships were "always consensual".
Brand acknowledged he was "promiscuous" at the height of his fame but denied there was any criminal aspect to his behaviour.
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