The publicity-shy wife standing by Russell Brand's side: Laura Gallacher steps into the spotlight as she joins him at court for his rape trial - after couple asked fans to 'pray' for them

Russell Brand and Laura Gallacher have appealed to supporters to pray for them through 'difficult times' ahead of his trial over alleged sex attacks on six women.

The comedian and born-again Christian, 51, and his publicity-shy wife, 39, told viewers of their weekly Sunday Service show yesterday that it would continue throughout his case, which could last around six weeks.

Brand is accused of raping and sexually assaulting women in allegations spanning a decade.

He arrived at and left Southwark Crown Court holding hands with Laura today as jury selection began on Monday. They did not respond to questions from reporters. The trial is expected to begin on Wednesday.

Laura has quietly supported her husband since their marriage in 2017, but has set aside her naturally reclusive nature as the couple launched their Christian YouTube show five months ago.

She told viewers yesterday that Sunday Service would continue throughout the trial.

'Pray for us if you feel so inclined,' added her husband, who has 6.62 million YouTube subscribers.

Reflecting on the impending trial, he said: 'Being back here [in the UK], obviously there are great challenges. 

'We will do our best to respect the important restrictions that exist around court cases to ensure truth and justice can be done.'

Brand is accused of raping and sexually assaulting six women between 1999 and 2009.

Speaking on their podcast yesterday, the couple initially joked that they were in the UK for a 'vacation' before saying that 'the Lord has brought us here'.

Brand introduced Laura as his 'beloved wife' before she admitted she had been nervous about accompanying him to court.

Laughing, he said: 'We're in the UK. Why is that? Just fancied a trip,' before adding more seriously: 'The Lord has brought us here.'

Laura replied: 'I think it's a vacation, but yes, the Lord has brought us here.'

Brand went on: 'I'm happy to be in the place where Jesus found me,' referring to the UK, where he embraced Christianity and was baptised in the River Thames.

His wife, who has stood by him , said they would continue making their podcast.

'Our aim is to carry on doing Sunday Service. More than ever, when you're faced with times of challenge, you have to find your connection with God. Perhaps Sunday Service will be a journey in anchoring ourselves in faith and trust during difficult times,' Laura said.

Describing their appearances at court over the past week ahead of the trial, which begins this week, she added: 'I got nervous before going to court. I'm not used to getting out of the car and seeing lots of photographers.'

Brand then said: 'Pray for us if you feel so inclined, and let us know in the chat if there is something we can pray for you about.'

The pair closed their eyes as Brand said: 'I thank you for my beautiful wife, this mystery woman in yellow, our glorious children and your son, Jesus Christ.'

Russell Brand arrived at court with Laura in a black Mercedes on Monday morning, waiting for a few minutes to leave the vehicle before taking his wife by the hand.

He said nothing to members of the press as he walked into the courthouse, and did not respond to shouted questions.

Wearing a grey suit, a white unbuttoned shirt with a brown neckerchief underneath, brown boots and sunglasses, Brand remained seated and displayed little emotion as the jury selection process began.

Brand denies three charges of rape, three counts of sexual assaults, and one allegation of indecent assault, made by six women.

Previous hearings have heard Brand is accused of raping a woman in a hotel room at the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth, grabbing a TV worker's breasts and forcing her into a sex act in a toilet, and kissing and groping a radio station worker.

Brand, who pleaded not guilty to the charges during pre-trial hearings, is on bail.

The Brands are back in Britain after moving to the US with their three children around three years ago.

The comedian and actor has not commented on the details of the impending trial but has previously insisted that, while he was 'very, very promiscuous' as a younger man, his sexual relationships 'were always consensual'.

In 2015, a chance meeting on the towpath of a canal in east London changed Laura Gallacher's life.

The pair married two years later near Henley-on-Thames, with guests including Noel Gallagher and Jonathan Ross.

Brand has repeatedly spoken of how lucky he is to have Laura in his life and credited her with supporting him through difficult periods.

She is the youngest child of golfing legend Bernard Gallacher, while her older sister is sports broadcaster Kirsty Gallacher.

The sisters grew up in Wentworth, Surrey, on what is widely regarded as one of Britain's most exclusive private estates.

Laura, a 'mummy blogger' and author of the parenting book The Joy Journal For Magical Everyday Play, has been described by friends as 'kind-natured' and, despite coming from a high-profile family, happy to stay out of the limelight.

Aside from occasional appearances on Brand's YouTube channel, she has largely maintained a low profile and rarely attends red-carpet events.

She was 18 and studying art when she first met Brand, who shared an agent with her sister.

The pair had a brief relationship before going their separate ways.

When they met again 11 years ago, Gallacher was recovering from the breakdown of a long-term relationship.

She later recalled how a friend persuaded her to leave her flat for a walk along a canal in east London, where she unexpectedly bumped into Brand.

'I hadn't seen Russell for years,' she said. 'He was so different. We both immediately knew it was going to be serious.

'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 on to the footpath, Russell was standing there, like he'd organised it.'

Gallacher later said they both agreed they wanted a quiet family life together.

Before moving to the US, the family lived in Oxfordshire.

Speaking about their relationship, she has said: 'We really do have fun together.

'Sometimes, it can look like I'm dealing with an adult toddler, but Russell's really into doing the stuff I'm into.'

Friends have described her as 'very warm' but also fiercely protective of her family's privacy.

Gallacher has also become a devout Christian but, until this year, largely stayed away from her husband's online broadcasts.

She previously said of his content: 'I don't find it easy, and that's why I don't ever really want to be doing any of it.

'I have so many questions about it, and the exposure it inevitably leads to does expose you to a sort of dark energy.'

They launched their Sunday Service show five months ago, with Brand thanking his wife for standing by him.

Smiling, she replied: 'I must be crazy.'

In 2010, he married pop star Katy Perry, but the couple divorced two years later.

Brand also enjoyed a successful Hollywood career, appearing in films including Forgetting Sarah Marshall and the Despicable Me franchise.

In recent years, however, allegations about his treatment of women came under scrutiny following television and newspaper investigations. Police arrested him in 2023, by which time he had largely turned his attention to podcasting and spirituality.

Brand embraced Christianity in 2024 and was baptised in the River Thames alongside his friend Bear Grylls.

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