Ian McNabb loses Liverpool Legends Hall of Fame honour after Russell Brand post
Ian McNabb has been removed from plans to induct him into the Liverpool Legends Hall of Fame after he published a post defending Russell Brand. McNabb, who rose to fame as frontman of Liverpool band The Icicle Works during the 1980s, said Brand had been “stitched up” after receiving a 10-year-and-six-month prison sentence for rape and sexual assault. The decision to withdraw the honour came days after the 66-year-old musician spoke out in support of Brand on social media. A spokesperson for the Liverpool Beatles Museum said: “Under the circumstances, Ian McNabb will not be inducted.”
A statement issued by the Beatles Museum last month had announced that McNabb would join the Liverpool Legends Hall of Fame on November 19.
Based at the Beatles museum, the Liverpool Legends Hall of Fame recognises people who have helped shape the cultural identity of the city and the surrounding area.
“Ian McNabb will be inducted into the Liverpool Legends Hall of Fame at the Liverpool Beatles Museum – Mathew Street on Thursday the 19th of November,” the statement said.
“Tickets are not available as it’s a private event.”
Ian McNabb’s induction into the Liverpool Legends Hall of Fame has been axed (Image: Getty)
After Brand was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison at Southwark Crown Court on Monday (November 9), McNabb fiercely defended the Forgetting Sarah Marshall star online.
“Russell Brand is being stitched up for his outspoken views. He got close to the target, and he has a big audience,” he wrote.
“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.”
McNabb added: “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.”
Russell Brand was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for rape and sexual assault (Image: Getty)
After McNabb shared the post, his upcoming tour dates were axed. He was due to kick off a UK solo tour this month, but his dates were pulled by promoters.
Promoter Ewan McNaught, who had booked several of the dates, said that, as a father of a young daughter, he could no longer work with McNabb in light of his remarks.
In a message on his personal Facebook page, McNaught penned: “I hate cancelling gigs, and it’s one of the few times 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.
“I’ve spoken to his agent and to the venues, and we’re all on the same page on this, and these won’t be the only shows on his tour that are cancelled. I’m told another five were cancelled today.”
He continued: “As a result, Ian McNabb’s shows later this month at The Cluny 2 in Newcastle (25.11.26), Cottiers, Glasgow (26.11.26) and The Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh (27.11.26) have all been cancelled. Refunds available from point of purchase.
“As an addendum, I’d like to emphasise that it wasn’t a unilateral decision. There was broad consensus between agent, promoter and venues that these shows simply couldn’t go ahead under the circumstances.
“For the purposes of clarification (and I acknowledge that I’ve promoted a few controversial artists in the past), I’ve posted a screenshot of the offending post in the comments below. I think it says it all.”
McNabb has since deleted his post and tried to explain himself in a second post, which he also deleted.
“It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness and regret that I make this post. I have been CANCELLED and therefore all of my shows for the future have also. This is as a result of a post I made about the plight of British comedian/entertainer Russell Brand…” the singer began.
“I condemned the treatment of Brand, who I believe has been railroaded and treated unfairly. To my knowledge, I have committed no crime, but I understand the upset I have caused.
“Many of you will know that I am aligned with some of the issues Brand has campaigned against, and that I agree 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 struggle to understand why many people who have committed much worse offences continue to walk free without consequence.”
He added: “I condemn the treatment of women for non-consensual sexual pleasure, and I condemn the predatory behaviour of men who engage in it. I’m sorry to those who 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. I know I haven’t got long to do this, and I’m grateful for the support of my loyal fans.”