Netflix does not intend to remove Russell Brand stand-up special – but will hide it from subscribers

Netflix has hidden Russell Brand’s stand-up special Re:Birth from subscribers – but won’t be removing it completely.

On Monday (November 9) Brand was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison after being found guilty of rape and three counts of sexual assault. His former girlfriend Jemima Goldsmith has also accused him of “violence, coercive control and abuse” and the Met Police have confirmed they’re investigating two more rape allegations.

Following the conviction, Netflix has confirmed it won’t be recommending Brand’s comedy special Re:Birth to subscribers and has hidden it from the search function. The streamer has announced it won’t be removing the content entirely though. ‘We prioritise choice and control for our members: the freedom to watch what, how and when you want, with recommendations and ratings to inform those choices,’ a source told the paper,” a spokesperson for Netflix told The Telegraph.

Released in 2018, Re:Birth sees “Russell Brand get loquacious in London as he ruminates on the state of the world and marvels over how his life changed the moment he became a father,” according to a Netflix description. The comedy show also features Brand reflecting on his past promiscuity and activism.

It’s been reported that a Russell Brand joke that appeared in Gavin & Stacey’s 2008 Christmas Special has been edited out of the iPlayer version. In the show, Ruth Jones’ Nessa claims that Brand’s My Booky Wook helps Baby Neil fall asleep. After that, Joanna Page’s Stacey says it’s a shame they didn’t get a mention in the autobiography. “Don’t be [disappointed] Stace,” replies Nessa. “We had a cracking night, all three of us.”

The BBC has also removed a number of shows featuring David Walliams after he was accused of using his fame to “prey” on a number of young women and allegedly had “inappropriate” sexual relations with them. He’s denied all the accusations.

“These are serious allegations. As such, the BBC is looking carefully at all material featuring and written by David Walliams on our platforms,” reads a statement. “We are in the process of removing some programmes, including Little Britain, whilst this review is underway.”

For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.