Video of Russell Brand making rape joke on TV show resurfaces after guilty verdict

| Senior TV Reporter Published November 6, 2026 12:03pm Updated November 6, 2026 12:03pm To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A clip of Russell Brand joking about rape has resurfaced after he was convicted of sexually assaulting three women and raping a fan at the height of his fame. The 51-year-old was once one of Britain’s best-known stand-up comedians and crossed over to find fame in Hollywood, but is now facing what could potentially be years behind bars. On Thursday at Southwark Crown Court, a jury found him guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He was cleared of two further charges of rape and one allegation of attempted indecent assault. Since the verdict was handed down, a video of Brand on Channel 4’s The Big Fat Quiz of the Year in 2007 has gone viral on social media. It sees Brand joking about rape alongside Jonathan Ross, Noel Fielding and host Jimmy Carr. The supposed joke revolved around Lily Allen, who was also a guest on the panel show. Ross voiced his ‘concern’ for her, given that she was sat in close proximity to Fielding and Brand, who he described as ‘two of the best-known c***smen in the business’. Ross then insisted he swap chairs with Allen, so she could sit closer to Rob Brydon and David Mitchell on the episode of the programme and ‘might go home with her dress still on’. A video of Russell Brand on Channel 4’s The Big Fat Quiz of the Year in 2007 has gone viral on social media (Picture: Channel 4) The supposed joke revolved around Lily Allen, who was also a guest on the panel show episode (Picture: Channel 4) Fielding then interjected: ‘How dare you, we’re not rapists,’ to a big laugh from the studio audience. Carr then questioned why Fielding was wearing a cape for the show ‘if [he] wasn’t a rapist’ and the Mighty Boosh star said that he was wearing a Jack the Ripper cape. ‘He wasn’t a rapist, he was a…,’ Fielding said, prompting Brand to finish the sentence with: ‘Serial murderer.’ Brand then added: ‘There is no direct corollary between rapes and capes; it’s just a rhyme. Leave him alone. What if, horror of horrors, he ain’t even done a rape? You could ruin his reputation,’ which also got a laugh from the audience at the Channel 4 recording. The resurfaced clip has been viewed 2million times on X and has elicited comments describing it as ‘sickening’, particularly given that Allen was the only woman present during the extended joke. The singer has commented on the clip in the years since, describing it as ‘horrendous’ (Picture: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images) Brand is now facing what could potentially be years behind bars (Picture: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Shutterstock) The singer reflected on the exchange in a 2023 interview, in the wake of initial allegations of sexual assault against Brand, which were jointly investigated by The Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches. The investigation published accusations from women who said they had been raped, sexually abused and degraded by Brand. Allen subsequently told Grazia UK that she had seen the panel show clip circulating, recalling how ‘there are comments, I think, about me being raped or something.’ She continued: ‘And I laugh along with it. In retrospect, that’s really horrendous. It makes me uncomfortable, but I don’t think I felt that at the time, because it was the culture.’ The shamed comedian-turned-conspiracy theorist will now spend the weekend in custody before he returns to court on Monday to learn his prison sentence. The Met has also confirmed investigations are ongoing into two allegations of rape made against Brand. Deals of the Day The Orlando holiday deal Disney fans shouldn't miss We're adding this discounted NEOM gift set straight to basket Want an LED face mask for less? This Black Friday deal could save you hundreds This teeth whitening sale could save you up to 64% before Black Friday These Simba Black Friday deals are too good for tired shoppers to ignore Metro contacted Noel Fielding, Jonathan Ross and Jimmy Carr’s representatives for comment. Arrow MORE: Inside Russell Brand’s marriage to Laura Gallacher as she stands by him in rape trial Arrow MORE: I confronted my rapist in court – I know how Russell Brand’s victims feel Arrow MORE: Taskmaster announces Alison Hammond in 2026 festive special cast as latest winner is revealed TV Newsletter Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.