The BBC has removed a joke about Russell Brand from the 2008 Christmas special of Gavin and Stacey on iPlayer, following the comedian's conviction and prison sentence.
Brand was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court last week and sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison. The BBC then took action to edit the episode, which included a joke referencing Brand's memoir.
Scene from Christmas Dinner
In the Christmas dinner scene at Pam and Mick's house, Nessa returns to the table after putting Neil the Baby to bed. Nessa says: "I had to read to him to get him off." When Pam asks if she was reading a fairytale, Nessa replies: "No, Russell Brand: My Booky Wook. He's loving every word."
Stacey then asks whether she and Nessa are named in the book, and Nessa says no. Stacey says: "That's a shame. I'm quite disappointed, are you?" and Nessa says: "Don't be, Stace. We had a cracking night, Pam. All three of us."
Book Withdrawn by Publishers
Brand's memoir, released in 2007, detailed his various sexual encounters, including how he lost his virginity to a sex worker while on holiday with his father. The book has now been withdrawn by UK publishers, with Pan Macmillan and Hodder & Stoughton both confirming the work will no longer be available for sale.
A spokesperson for Pan Macmillan said it is "withdrawing Russell Brand's books from sale following his conviction, and this process is under way now. We recognise the courage it took for those who came forward, and our thoughts are with everyone affected by his crimes."
The book also spawned a sequel, My Booky Wook 2: This Time It's Personal, released in 2010. Brand has also published self-help titles, including Recovery: Freedom from Our Addictions, Mentors: How to Help and Be Helped, and Revelation: Connecting with the Sacred in Everyday Life, as well as How to Become a Christian in Seven Days.
Prison Placement
Now behind bars, Brand would have been subjected to a strip search upon entry to the prison, with his intake procedure also including health screenings and evaluations. His famous status means he has been placed in an alternative unit to be isolated from fellow prisoners.
