Jimmy Carr faced criticism after sharing a stand-up comedy clip about Russell Brand shortly after the former television personality received a prison sentence for rape and sexual assault.
The British comedian also included a promotional link for his upcoming comedy tour, prompting accusations that he had used Brand’s criminal case to attract ticket buyers.
Jimmy Carr faces criticism after sharing a Russell Brand-related joke
Carr posted the video on X on Monday, Nov. 9, approximately an hour after a London court sentenced Brand to 10 years and six months in prison.
According to The Standard, the comedian shared the recording around 3:30 p.m., along with a link promoting his upcoming Killing Jokes tour.
The clip featured an exchange between Carr and an audience member who asked about Brand.
Carr responded with a joke about the comedian’s conviction.
“Well, this is interesting. It’s crazy to think that Russell Brand is going to jail for something he didn’t do… get consent,” he said.
According to Radar, Carr followed the remark with another joke referencing Brand’s imprisonment.
“I think Russell Brand’s views on sex and consent are going to radically change in the next week,” Carr added.
The video subsequently attracted more than 3 million views on X.
However, several social media users criticized Carr’s joke about Brand, particularly his decision to promote his tour alongside the clip.
“Cashing in on this is beyond despicable,” one commenter wrote.
Another user accused Carr of attempting to benefit financially from the criminal proceedings.
“Trying to sell tickets on the back of a rapist being sent down is a scum move,” the person commented.
The controversy followed Brand’s sentencing at Southwark Crown Court.
A jury previously found the 51-year-old guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault involving four women.
However, jurors acquitted him of two additional rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault following a four-week trial.
Meanwhile, some critics also revisited Carr’s previous professional association with Brand.
The two appeared together on Channel 4’s The Big Fat Quiz of the Year, which Carr hosted.
Some social media users questioned why Carr had not publicly addressed Brand’s conduct before his conviction.
Carr had also previously faced criticism for jokes involving sexual violence.
His 2024 Netflix special, Natural Born Killer, included material about rape, consent and sexual assault statistics.
Despite the backlash, Carr’s promotional post continued circulating online. His Killing Jokes tour includes scheduled performances across the United Kingdom and the United States in 2027.
