Jimmy Carr has faced backlash over his response when asked about Russell Brand’s prison time during a stand-up set, with some accusing him of “cashing in” on the serious matter.
Following a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court in London, Brand, 51, was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison after being convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault last week.
Shortly after the sentencing on Monday (9 November), Carr posted a clip of his comedy gig to X in which was asked by an audience member for his thoughts on the subject.
“What do you think about Russell Brand?” a person in the crowd can be heard asking in the video.
“Well, this is interesting,” said Carr. “It’s crazy to think that Russell Brand is going to jail for something he didn’t do… get consent.”
Referring to Brand’s impending prison sentence, the comedian made a pointed joke about the threat of prison rape: “I think Russell Brand’s views on sex and consent are going to radically change in the next week.”
The 15-second recording of the on-stage moment has since gone viral on X, accumulating over 3 million views since it was posted yesterday afternoon.
Carr’s response has attracted a mixed response from fans, with some accusing him of making light of the serious subject for publicity. The post was accompanied with a link to buy tickets for his new tour Killing Jokes.
"What do you think about Russell Brand?!"
— Jimmy Carr (@jimmycarr) November 9, 2026
Jimmy Carr's brand-new tour, KILLING JOKES, is starting with dates across the UK & USA in 2027.
Find out more and get tickets at https://t.co/aEh7Y7D3tD. pic.twitter.com/dBgf7GYvgS
“Cashing in on this is beyond despicable,” read one comment with over 100 likes. Another wrote: “OK, so someone asks you about a man recently convicted of rape, and your response is two rape jokes.”
A third person added: “I don’t think the timing to make jokes about this will ever be appropriate.”
Others pointed out that Carr had worked regularly with Brand over the years, appearing on panel shows together such as Big Fat Quiz of the Year and Roast Battle.
“It’s a pity you weren’t so forthcoming when you were repeatedly appearing on TV shows and comedy line-ups with him,” said another.
The Independent has contacted a representative of Carr’s for comment.
This is not the first time that the comedian has been in hot water for joking about rape. It is a subject that regularly crops up in his comedy, including in his controversial 2024 special Natural Born Killer.
In the comedy special, Carr joked: “I don’t like having sex outdoors, but that is where women walk at night [...] I used to share a house with a woman who swore a ghost was having sex with her in her dreams. I thought, ‘Jesus Christ! From now on, I gotta mash two pills into her food.’”
He went on to joke that he believed he could get away with rape without being caught, saying: “Only 15 per cent of rapes are ever reported, and only 2 per cent of those ever lead to a conviction. Now, I’m not advocating rape, but I like those odds.”
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