Patrick Bruel was once a heartthrob pop star whose dark brooding looks fuelled a ‘Bruelmania’ fever that swept through France in the 1990s. He sold millions of albums and was one of the country’s most bankable film stars.

Today, Bruel is a different man. Age 67, he has been disgraced by multiple accusations of sexual assault and rape. Yesterday, two new women accused him of sex crimes, bringing the total number of cases to six. Bruel denies wrongdoing.

What the Saltburn cricket scandal says about the fallibility of man

Reform shouldn’t have reported Polanski to the police

The sale of Harvey Nichols is proof of London’s decline

The first allegations against Bruel surfaced several years ago but were dismissed by French police due to lack of evidence. Other women have since come forward claiming that he sexually harassed or assaulted them. Many cite incidents that stretch back two or three decades, beyond the statute of limitations. French television presenter Flavie Flament publicly accused Bruel of raping her in 1991 under the influence of drugs when she was 16 and he was 34. Bruel acknowledges that he had an ‘affair’ with Flament over a number of years but insists there was never any physical constraint or drugs involved.

As accusations against Bruel accumulated, last month police charged him with rape, attempted rape, and sexual harassment in four cases. He was released after posting bail of €500,000 (£425,000). While he proclaims his innocence, the media storm has destroyed the image of the once-idolised pop icon. Bruel has cancelled scheduled concert tours in France, Switzerland and Quebec.

Patrick Bruel’s disgrace is not the downfall of one man. He is just one male celebrity on growing list of public figures in France – politicians, actors, television celebrities, authors – accused of sexual assault. For many,........

© The Spectator