Russell Brand issues tragic death statement after court appearance

Actor Russell Brand shared a devastating update just hours after he appeared in court. Taking to Instagram on Tuesday evening, the 50-year-old media personality shared that his dog, Bear, has died. 

He shared a video to the social media platform as he captioned it: "Bear is dead. I didn’t expect this… RIP." In the clip, Brand said that it was "mission complete" as "Bear is in the ground". He went on: "That beautiful hound that I loved so much. If any of you have ever really loved a dog, then you will know how I feel. It seems kind of impossible that I could love a being that can't talk as intensely and as viscerally as I love Bear, and mourn and miss him the way that I do. I am devastated by the loss of this dog." Brand went on to say that his beloved dog taught him that "human beings are broken". He added: "I find it hard to see that anyone could ever love me enough to die for me."

The movie star then said that God takes our sins as he talked about being forgiven. "God sent me Bear so that I can know how much I am loved, because that dog would die for me," he added.

Celebrity Traitors winner Alan Carr was one of the first to share his condolences. In the comments, he wrote: "Oh no," followed by a loveheart.

Other followers soon joined in as one fan said: "Sorry for you and your family’s loss, Russell. Rest in peace, beautiful Bear." Another penned: "Awe, sweet Bear. What a wonderful beast we got to witness. Thank you for sharing him with us 'locals'. Much love to you and you family. Bless sweet Bear."

The sad update came just a day after Brand appeared via video link from the US for the six-minute hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday afternoon.

Wearing a partially unbuttoned denim shirt, he spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.

Brand previously denied two counts of rape, one count of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault in relation to alleged offences between 1999 and 2005, involving four women.

He was granted bail to appear at Southwark Crown Court on February 17.