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Kate Garraway is criticised for defending ‘brave’ Jonathan Ross in heated row over his relationship with David Walliams and Russell Brand
Kate Garraway was criticised by Good Morning Britain viewers after calling her friend Jonathan Ross “brave” for publicly distancing himself from David Walliams and Russell Brand. The remark came during a heated discussion about Ross’s apology for a joke about Walliams and whether people in their social circles could have been unaware of concerns about their behaviour.
Ross, 65, said he was horrified by allegations against Walliams and Brand and had been genuinely unaware of their conduct; he said he would have refused to make the joke if he had known it referred to real events. Guest Ayesha Hazarika rejected the idea that people around the men could have been unaware, pointing to a 2007 television exchange. Walliams denies allegations of sexual misconduct and any criminal wrongdoing; Brand has been convicted of rape and sentenced to more than ten years in prison, according to the article.
In short
- Garraway was criticised for calling Ross “brave”.
- Ross said he was unaware of the allegations and apologised for his joke.
- Walliams denies wrongdoing; Brand has been convicted of rape.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Ross may have been genuinely unaware of the allegations and, once he understood the joke’s context, was right to apologise and distance himself. Garraway’s description of him as brave could reflect the value of acknowledging a mistake publicly, even when doing so invites criticism.
The case against
People who shared professional and social circles with Walliams and Brand may reasonably be expected to have noticed warning signs or taken concerns seriously, so Ross’s claim of ignorance can be questioned. Calling him brave may seem premature when the focus should be on accountability and on whether those with influence acted responsibly.
Explained simply
Jonathan Ross is a British television and radio presenter who has worked with comedians David Walliams and Russell Brand. A joke Ross made about Walliams later drew criticism, prompting Ross to apologise and say he had not known it referred to real events.
The discussion centres on what people in the men’s professional and social circles knew about concerns over their behaviour, and when. Walliams denies allegations of sexual misconduct and criminal wrongdoing; Brand has been convicted of rape and sentenced to more than ten years in prison.