Saying things like 'try telling that to a rape victim' in context to this is ridiculous. Why are people putting such a weight on this/him? People who were there have said this has been blown up into something greater than it is.Stop blaming him for something so brutal when it's clear it's not true

camille, London,

Oh for goodnessake if we can't laugh what can we do-Do u have any idea how many jokes have been made about WW1+2 and the wars now! Leave Russell alone. Mabye it wasn't the best material but it was just a mistake-LEAVE HIM ALONE!Anyone that can make others smile with good intentions is to be praised!

Nicky, Leicestershire, England

Whilst I find Russell Brand quite funny, different, and attractive, This event certainly wasn't. It was completely distasteful, and absolutely disgusting.
I have been a victim of rape, several times over. Society as a whole really do need to understand this issue, and its effect.

Ruthy, Midlands, England

Hope for everyone who was there it was as funny as the postscript makes it out to be! Russell is a legend and is merely using the event as an opportunity for humour which is NOT at the expense of the victims or any1 connected, the world needs ppl like him to make every1 a bit happier! russell4PM

Andrew, Manchester,

I was at Northampton gig.This has been blown up way out of proportion.So called 'sex attack' was nothing more than a tug on a womans skirt & now people are throwing the word rape around.Get a life,next week you overcritical people will have someone else to moan about.I still love & support u Russ XX

Caroline Scott, Rotherham,

Perhaps the best way tio apologise would be to make a nice hefty donation to Rape Crisis.....we need the money to help REAL victims....and to redress the balance of damage he has done!!!!! We await your call Russell

Jo Wood, Birkenhead, Merseyside

I was at the show as well, and Russell defended himself throughout and to be honest the story has completely been taken out of context and has become ridiculous. I think people should calm down, especially now Russell has apologised. I will be one of the many of his fans who will support him.

Emma, Kettering, Northampton

It is really sad that the rising fascist atmosphere in the West makes comedians apologize for things like this. Everything you do these days is bound to offend someone, from trout fishing to non PC phrases, etc etc; I wish actual freedom of speech existed so that artists were not made to recant...

farhad, los angeles, usa

It's nothing to do with political correctness Eddie, and who do you think YOU are to criticise people for complaining that a woman who has been through a horrendously traumatic experience is going to be badly hurt by this? 'Everyone jokes like this' doesn't cut it. Use your common sense.

Kellie, Bath,

i was there at the show and think all this over reaction is just pathetic. if anything hes raised awareness about the attacks and the issues in general.people make these kind of jokes everyday in offices and classrooms. people need a grip on sensitivity and political correctness these days.

Eddie, Northampton, England

Brand is an egotistical jerk, and not fit to hold the microphones of truly great controversial comedians, people like Bill Hicks who shocked us with uncomfortable truths rather than puerile pranks.

Nick, exeter, uk

Re:
"Come on folks get a grip. Surely you'd rather make the best and funniest out of a traumatic situation than get all depressed and sensitive"

Try telling that to someone who has been raped.

Guess what, Einstein? YOU JUST DID.

Kellie, Bath,

I don't think that much of him, but I'm not going to deny the fact that the article had me in stitches. Honestly, I was laughing hysterically. Everyone should just chill out. I think he's setting a good example myself: Stop taking everything so seriously!! Funny stuff - seriously, very funny indeed.

Luke, Felixstowe, England

Brand as always, sets a low standard and then fails to reach it.

Gerry Needham, Ferndown, Dorset

This is no humour. Russell Brand obviously needs some oxygen of publicity by wasting police time. Charge him!!

Patrick T, London, UK

At last Brand has over stepped the mark and surpassed himself. He has shown that there is a line drawn between the acceptable and unacceptable and he has crossed that line.

He should be prosecuted as an example.

Winston Smith, London,

"He should be roasted!"

I'm sure he would be quite excited by the prospect!

(allegedly)

Steve, Cardiff, UK

To those people who think this was 'alright' or acceptable, I, like RB am a legend in my own mind, will it be funny if everybody like me made hoax calls? If I do it with an audience is it acceptable. Lets see what happens if this became widespread, surely some problems no? Make an example of him

Tony, London,

Another publicity stunt by a second rate commedian.Unfortunately the BBC Licence Payer has to pay for his Radio 2 programme.

Bill Rees, Truro, Cornwall

I wonder how the three victims would feel if they read the article, to know a packed hall of people found anything related to their ordeal funny.

Brand is a great comedian but whilst I hate comedy being censored, I think shock-pranks like this shouldn’t refer to specific vulnerable people.

Ed Jones, Leeds, UK

What an ego! Even now, he doesn't get it. The vulnerable people that he's 'devastated by the possibility of offending' are who, exactly? If Brand is interested in discourse as a way of helping sexual assault he should give up trying to unravel the mystery of humour and also give up, er. discourse.

David, Dundee, Scotland

Chris from Fife - "best and funniest out of a traumatic situation". Do sex attacks have a best and funny side? Not only are victims humiliated during an attack, it's now ok to humiliate them on television as well? This was not funny, it was moronic and Brand's rapid climbdown suggests he knows that.

Emma, Southampton, UK

Well he succeeded in getting loads of publicity for this moronic behaviour ..... and how does that saying go? .... "there's no such thing as bad publicity" ........ perhaps he's not so stupid!

Steve, Warwick,

Ok, Russell should not have rung the police but does anyone seriously believe that people are stupid enough to copy his actions? Would any of you?
No, thought not. We're all adults who are capable of making our own decisions, and I am completely fed up with celebrities having to "set an example"

John Kane, Swindon,

If I was at a party or out with friends and I made a hoax-call, to the police, I would expect to receive a formal caution as a minimum and maybe even be charged - not for a "prank" but for a HOAX.
It was boorish, in poor taste, and NOT funny. But then what elsecould you expect from Brand?

Colin, Newton Abbot, UK

A Civilisation on it's way out.

Mickel, Birmingham, Shihole

He won't be prosecuted because they would only attempt to charge him with wasting police time which they do enough of themselves anyway.

Alex, Bury,

Since when did Russell Brand's behaviour ever pass for entertainment?

Brenda Neale, Aberdeen, Scotland

RB is fairly funny. Unfortunately he thinks he's a lot funnier than that.

Mikey, Bromley, Kent

Come on folks get a grip. Surely you'd rather make the best and funniest out of a traumatic situation than get all depressed and sensitive.

Influence his fans to do what? See the funny side? Most of us can tell when something's meant to be a joke. He was a comedian doing a stand-up gig after all.

Chris, Fife, Scotland

The funniest thing off all is the person who said "He should be roasted!" He shouldnt have actually phoned the police, and it isnt wise to make fun of serious incidents, but I understand what was funny. These sorts of incidents can be mad funny when we detach from the reality of the situation.

Lewis, Southampton, England

Oh come on he was just a bit out of his depth! Singing down the phone to the police was brilliant and i honestly don"t think he was being malicious, just a bit naive.

Caroline, Leicester, UK

This man is an idle to many. Whether he likes it or not his actions influence his fans. His behaviour on stage was disgusting and he should be punished for it. It is not funny or clever to mock victims of an assult or to prank the emergency services.

Jenny Johnson, Essex, uk

Degenerates rule, OK?
"Discourage" ? "Ill advised"?
Come on.

David, Bromley,

This man is totally & utterly devoid of any talent, relies on shock & hype.
Oh my God, im starting to sound like my dad!

Pete, St Albans, England

How can we expect proper behaviour from youngsters when this prat of a role model does this kind of thing. Any TV station that gives him airtime is complicit in this kind of vile behaviour.

john, lincoln,

Shocking, but Russell Brand being tasteless and unfunny isn't exactly news....

Martin, St Andrews, Scotland