BBC removes Russell Brand gag from Gavin & Stacey episode after disgraced comedian’s conviction
Warning: This article contains discussion of rape and sexual assault which some readers may find distressing.
A joke referencing disgraced comedian Russell Brand has been edited out of one of the Gavin & Stacey Christmas specials following his conviction, LADbible understands.
Earlier this week, the 51-year-old was sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison after being found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
Following Brand's conviction, the BBC made the decision to edit out a joke referencing his previous sexual promiscuity from a 2008 episode of Gavin & Stacey.
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In the scene, Nessa, played by Ruth Jones, returns from reading a story to her son and is asked by Pam if she's reading the tot a 'little fairy story'.
But this is Nessa, after all, and she responds by saying that she's been reading him Russell Brand's My Booky Wook, which her son is 'loving every word' of.
The discussion then prompts Stacey to ask Nessa if they received a mention, adding that she was disappointed to learn they didn't.
"That's a shame. I'm quite disappointed, are you?" Stacey responds, to which Nessa then replies: "Don't be, Stace. We had a cracking night, Pam. All three of us."
Published in 2007, My Booky Wook was the title of Brand's memoir, which covers his early life, addiction and relationships in explicit detail.
The book has since been withdrawn from print and sale by its publishers, Hodder & Stoughton, alongside its sequel, Booky Wook 2: This Time It’s Personal.
Russell Brand's sentencing: Ten years and six months
Brand was sentenced after a 12-person jury convicted him of raping a woman in 2009, as well as sexually assaulting female TV and radio workers between 2004 and 2009.
"The whole episode reeks of casual disrespect, and your belief that fame meant you could act however you liked, when you liked, unhindered by the rules by which decent people live," Justice Bennathan told the court during his sentencing remarks.
He will serve two-thirds of his sentence behind bars before being eligible to be released to serve the remainder of his time on licence.
Brand's high profile 'might paint a target on him'
Reacting to Brand's sentencing, former prison governor Professor Ian Acheson explained that he will face an increased risk of violence from other prisoners.
"High-profile sexual predators are at increased risk wherever Brand gets sent after sentencing - classification and allocation come next at the local where he will be held," he wrote on social media.
"Risks are a) risk to self b) risk to others c) Risk from others."
Meanwhile Paul McGinn, partner in the abuse team at legal firm Bolt Burdon Kemp, told LADbible that Brand will likely be kept separate from other prisoners to 'ensure his safety'.
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact The Survivors Trust for free on 08088 010 818, available 10am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-3pm and 6pm-8pm Monday to Thursday, 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3pm on Fridays, 10am-12.30pm on Saturdays and 6pm-8pm on Sundays.
Topics: Russell Brand, BBC, Gavin And Stacey
Brenna Cooper
