Ian McNabb won't be inducted into music Hall of Fame after Russell Brand comments

Detailed summary

Ian McNabb, who is the former frontman of Liverpool rock band The Icicle Works, had said sex fiend Russell Brand had been "stitched up" after the former comedian was convicted of one count of rape and three charges of sexual assault

Singer Ian McNabb will no longer be inducted into a music Hall of Fame after publicly defending convicted rapist Russell Brand.

The former frontman of Liverpool rock band The Icicle Works claimed Brand had been “stitched up”. Brand, 51, was jailed for 10 years and six months on Monday after being convicted of rape and three counts of sexual assault.

The Liverpool Beatles Museum had planned to induct McNabb into its Liverpool Legends Hall of Fame, but has now shelved the plans following his comments.

McNabb, 66, posted on social media about the disgraced television comic: “Russell Brand is being stitched up for his outspoken views. He got close to the target and he has a big audience.

“I know people who were in his orbit and girls were throwing themselves at him every night. If that happened to me I know what I would do.”

The post led to the cancellation of all of McNabb's upcoming shows. Ewan McNaught, of Scottish promotions company Renegade Communions, cancelled planned concerts in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Newcastle.

Writing online, he said: “I hate cancelling gigs, and it's the first time in my career that I’ve had to do it, but not only can I not defend Ian McNabb’s disgraceful social media comments in support of Russell Brand, as a husband and a father of a young daughter, I simply can't work with him moving forward.”

McNabb later deleted his post and told followers he had “been cancelled”. He added: “In no way did I mean to cause offence to those who have been abused sexually either recently or in past times, however long ago. I have committed no crime to my knowledge, but understand the upset I have caused.”

The Icicle Works’ biggest UK hit was Love Is a Wonderful Colour, which reached number 15 in 1984.

Opening of the article, excerpted from Daily Mirror. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.