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Russell Brand joke is axed from Gavin & Stacey as BBC edits mention out of iPlayer episode after the disgraced comedian was jailed for rape
The BBC has removed a Russell Brand reference from the 2008 Gavin & Stacey Christmas special on iPlayer, following his conviction for rape and sexual assaults. The edit removes a joke in which Nessa says she has been reading Brand’s autobiography to her son.
In the original scene, Stacey asks whether Nessa and her are mentioned in the book, prompting a joking exchange about the three of them spending a night together. Brand was sentenced to ten and a half years in prison for attacks on four women between 2004 and 2009, and is expected to serve at least seven years. Police say several people have provided new information, while detectives continue investigating two further rape allegations.
In short
- The BBC edited a Brand reference out of Gavin & Stacey on iPlayer.
- The joke appeared in the 2008 Christmas special.
- Police are assessing further information about Brand.
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The case for
The BBC can reasonably argue that keeping a light-hearted reference to Brand’s autobiography in a family comedy risks making a convicted rapist the subject of an affectionate joke. Editing the episode may reflect the seriousness of the convictions and avoid causing distress to viewers, while leaving the rest of the programme available.
The case against
Viewers can reasonably argue that changing a programme made in 2008 alters a work’s original context and risks making archives conform to present-day judgements. The joke refers to a published book and does not itself excuse or endorse the crimes; preserving the original alongside a clear contextual note could respect both the historical work and viewers’ understanding.
Explained simply
Gavin & Stacey is a BBC comedy about the relationship between Gavin, from Essex, and Stacey, from Wales, and their families and friends. Nessa, played by Ruth Jones, is one of the central characters; Russell Brand is a comedian whose autobiography was published in 2007.
Brand was convicted of rape and sexual assaults against four women for attacks between 2004 and 2009, and sentenced to ten and a half years in prison. Police have also said they are investigating further allegations, which have not been decided in court.