Russell Brand has been accused of a rape, sexual assaults and emotional abuse in a period spanning seven years and during the height of his fame.

The allegations from four women – including one who claimed she was just 16 when she was “groomed” by the comedian – have emerged as part of an investigation by Channel 4 Dispatches and The Sunday Times.

Brand, 48, who is in the middle of a UK tour, has vehemently denied the “very, very serious criminal allegations”, insisting that all his sexual relationships have been consensual.

British comedian and actor Russell Brand has denied any criminal wrongdoing as the Sunday Times newspaper reported four women had accused him of sexual assaults, including rape, during a seven-year period when he was at the height of his fame.

Brand, 48, the former husband of U.S. singer Katy Perry, issued a denial to unspecified "very serious criminal allegations" hours before they were published online by the newspaper on Saturday.

British comedian and actor Russell Brand is denying allegations of sexual assault against him following a joint investigation published Saturday by the Times of London, The Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches.

In a video posted to his social media accounts, Brand denied the allegations and said his relationships have all been consensual. He said he received "extremely disturbing" communications from a mainstream TV company and a newspaper "listing a litany of extremely egregious and aggressive attacks."