Comedian Russell Brand has been criticised after he described the Paralympics as a “novelty” during a gig in Islington. The outspoken movie star appeared at the Pleasance Theatre in North Road, Holloway, last Tuesday.

Speaking about the Olympics, Brand, 36, reportedly said: “It is boring Blue Peter sport and a waste of taxpayers’ money. “At least the Paralympics have some kind of novelty value or something.”

Several Paralympians called the remarks offensive.

Brand, married to the American musician Katy Perry, responded on his Twitter page by posting a picture of himself with a wheelchair-bound athlete and added: “Daily Mail/people stop being silly.”

The Pleasance Theatre did not wish to comment.