Russell Brand appeared in court on separate charges earlier this year. (Reuters: Carlos Jasso, file)
In short:
British police have charged comedian Russell Brand with more alleged sexual offences.
They announced on Tuesday he had been charged with one count of rape and one count of sexual assault.
What's next?
Brand will face court on the new charges next month.
British actor and comedian Russell Brand has been charged with another two sexual offences, including rape.
London's Metropolitan Police said on Tuesday, local time, the 50-year-old had been charged with rape and sexual assault. The allegations involve two women.
The police said the new charges were in addition to charges laid in April that involved another four women.
He was charged with two counts of rape, one of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault.
He pleaded not guilty to the initial charges at Southwark Crown Court in May.
Mr Brand has been summoned to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on January 20 to face the two new charges.
A trial is set to begin at Southwark Crown Court on June 16 on the five original charges.
On X, after the new charges against him were announced, Mr Brand said he felt "blessed" to "have the opportunity to atone for the many things over the years I did wrong" and for being able "to ensure that people understand the truth of my situation".
He said: "I pray Lord that anyone that I've harmed or hurt in my years of mindlessness in sin would be healed."
Mr Brand has consistently denied having non-consensual sex since allegations were first aired two years ago.
After the original charges were announced, he said he had been a fool and a sex addict in his younger days, but "what I never was, was a rapist".
Detectives began investigating the entertainer after UK media aired allegations of historical sexual offences.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said the investigation was "ongoing" and encouraged anyone with information to come forward.
The actor-comedian was once one of the UK's biggest stars and was previously married to pop star Katy Perry.
He has hosted shows on mainstream television and radio and written memoirs about his battles with drugs and alcohol.
However, he has largely disappeared from mainstream media in recent years.
He has built a significant following online with videos mixing wellness and conspiracy theories.