Jimmy Carr has drawn criticism after using Russell Brand's rape conviction and prison sentence to promote his new comedy tour.
Brand, 51, was sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison after being convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault following a four-week trial. He denied the charges.
Joke Shared Hours After Sentencing
Just two hours after the sentencing, Carr shared a clip from his new comedy tour on X, in which a heckler asks: 'What do you think about Russell Brand?!' Carr, 54, replies: 'Well, this is interesting.' He continues: 'It's crazy to think that Russell Brand is going to jail for something he didn't do… get consent.'
After pausing for applause, the 8 Out of 10 Cats host adds: 'I think Russell Brand's views on sex and consent are going to radically change in the next week.' The tour, Killing Jokes, is scheduled to take place next year across the US and UK.
Online Reaction
While Carr's audience may have laughed, social media users reacted negatively to the post. One user, concentric_PM, wrote: 'You chose him as a recurring guest on several shows over which you had editorial control for years; What a turncoat & public-posturing grifter. When the going gets tough, Jimmy does not.'
Aromatica365 criticised: 'Cashing in on this is beyond despicable,' while Jon Bongles said: 'Trying to sell tickets on the back of a rapist being sent down is a scum move.' AngryDragon7 wrote: 'What a hypocrite you are. I remember you laughing at his 'jokes' about raping women. I'm sure you knew nothing about his predatory behaviour but you and Ross encouraged this behaviour.'
Vickster51 said: 'Using the conviction of a disgusting rapist and predator to sell tickets? Really? You may be surprised to learn many of us don't find anything about Brand a joke.'
Some users supported Carr, with Curtis Johnson calling him 'a funny man' and Joel Cardwell branding it 'very smooth'. Amanda Bryce praised: '@jimmycarr can always be counted on to tell it like it is.' sjbarr500 asked: 'Too soon? Wonder what Brand would make of one of his old sparring partners straight out of the blocks like this.'
Past Collaboration Resurfaces
Carr and Brand worked together on various comedy shows, including The Big Fat Quiz of the Year. A video from 2007 recently resurfaced showing them joking about rape alongside Jonathan Ross and Noel Fielding, with a joke revolving around Lily Allen. In the clip, Ross voiced 'concern' for Allen being near Fielding and Brand, and Fielding interjected: 'How dare you, we're not rapists.'
Carr questioned why Fielding was wearing a cape 'if [he] wasn't a rapist', and Fielding said he was wearing a Jack the Ripper cape. Brand finished a sentence with 'Serial murderer' and added: 'There is no direct corollary between rapes and capes; it's just a rhyme. Leave him alone. What if, horror of horrors, he ain't even done a rape? You could ruin his reputation.'
Brand was cleared of two further charges of rape and one allegation of attempted indecent assault. Sentencing Brand, Mr Justice Bennathan said he had 'a casual and arrogant disregard for a woman's right to say no to you'. Brand will be on the sex offender's register for life. The sentence includes nine years for the count of rape, nine months for one count of sexual assault, 18 months for another, and eight months for a third, with some time reduced due to mitigating factors, the judge said.
Metro has reached out to Jimmy Carr's reps for comment.
