Ian McNabb Clitheroe concerts cancelled after Russell Brand defence post

A series of performances by The Icicle Works’ frontman Ian McNabb have been cancelled at Clitheroe, after he made social media posts defending convicted sex offender Russell Brand.

The Liverpool-born singer had been due to kick off a solo tour this month, but announced in a Facebook post yesterday that all of his upcoming shows had been cancelled.

It followed a social media post where he said Brand had been “stitched up” when he was convicted of sexual assault and rape.

On May 29 and May 30 next year, McNabb was scheduled to visit Clitheroe to perform at the The Grand theatre.

Though no decisions had been formally made before McNabb’s announcement, The Grand has now confirmed that they have cancelled all their upcoming performances of The Icicle Works former frontman.

Russell Brand was sentenced to more than a decade in prison on Monday after being found guilty of three counts of sexual assault and one count of rape.

In court, the judge described him as a “sexual predator” with a “staggering degree of arrogance” as he handed down a sentence of ten years and six months.

In a now-deleted post on Facebook last week, McNabb spoke out in support of Brand despite the ongoing case.

He said: “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.

“Yer pays yer money yer takes yer chance. If you want to hang out with the artist don’t cry when you’re in the picture.

“All these chicks who turn up at these situations know exactly what’s going on. The ones who decided they were done badly to – ten years after the event – are the worst.”

The post has now been deleted following backlash online, though in a second post yesterday, McNabb said he condemned predatory treatment of women - but that he still felt Brand had been “treated unfairly”.

“It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness and regret I make this post,” he said.

“I have been CANCELLED and therefore all of my shows for the forseeable [sic] future have also.

“This is as a result of a post I made regarding the plight of British comedian/entertainer Russell Brand. I never liked Brand if I'm honest, but some of the things he said caught my ear. In this post from around one week ago (since deleted ~ through thought-out self-analysis) which has been shared widely through screenshots, I condemned the treatment of Brand, who I feel has been railroaded and treated unfairly. I do not support the actions of the man, both you and I know ~ he behaved wrongly in many situations, but I feel the story goes deeper.

“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.

“Many of you will know I am aligned with a few of the subjects Brand railed against and agreed with him on *some* things including Big Pharma and the Military Industrial Complex.

“When he turned on the Epstein Class his fate was sealed.

“I fail to understand how many who have committed worse offences continue to roam free without consequence.

“I condemn the treatment of women for sexual pleasure that is not consensual, I condemn the predatory nature of males who do so.

“Sorry to those who have bought tickets and feel let down, I now enter a period of self-reflection and contemplation.

“I hope to see you again in the coming years, as I know I haven't long to do this, I am grateful for the support over the years from loyal fans.”