COMEDIAN Russell Brand was guarded by a boxer pal of Tyson Fury as he appeared in court on rape and sex assault charges, we can reveal.

, 49, brought Joe McCann along as backup at on Friday.

Russell Brand arriving at Westminster Magistrates' Court.Russell Brand brought Joe McCann along as backup at Westminster magistrates’ court

McCann is a former sparring partner of world heavyweight champ Fury.

Fury was pictured with Joe in 2019 at a boxing gym in Marbella and posted a snap of the pair to his Instagram.

Joe – who has a tattooed neck – writes that he is “living sober”; and has a passion for boxing and fitness as well as “meditation and yoga”; on his social media.

An onlooker at the ­central court said: “Brand rocked up with two security guards — and one of them was Joe.

“It’s all very odd.

“Why would a pro boxer be protecting ?

“Russell strode confidently beside Joe through the crowd into court and they looked very pally.”;

Born-again Christian Brand, based in , has previously been seen with Joe in online pics.

The pair were first pictured together in 2022 on Joe’s Instagram in Liverpool and he commented: “Great night with special people.”;

He on four women from 1999 to 2005.