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Russell Brand’s JFK files blunder as Good Life star Penelope Keith drawn into release

Former talk show guest Russell Brand appears to have been called out after he supposedly fell for a spoof documents following the White House releasing the JFK files

Russel Brand made a JFK blunder(Image: Getty Images)

The Good Life looks over for conspiracy theorist Russell Brand after he fell for a spoof JFK file that claimed the shooter was actress Penelope Keith.

Brand posted a bogus document on his X account purported to be among 63,000 pages of evidence newly-released about the US President’s 1963 assassination. In a dodgy typewriter scrawl mirroring many genuine documents contained in the files it said: “We can hereby name the assassin.

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“The lone shooter in Dallas Texas on 22 November 1963 was Miss Penelope Keith, star of the BBC television program ‘The Good Life’.” Brand posted it on his X account quoting its claim “we are sure without uncertainty” that the assassin was not gunman Lee Harvey Oswald or a “member of an organized crime syndicate”.

Fake documents about the death of JFK were shared online (Image: NY Daily News via Getty Images)

The paragraph identifying the culprit as Penelope – who played posh-speaking Margo Leadbetter in ‘70s comedy The Good Life and Audrey fforbes-Hamilton in To the Manor Born – was highlighted.

The post quickly disappeared as the spoof went viral.

But Brand – who has turned to pedalling conspiracy theories on the internet since his TV and movie career stalled following sex harassment claims – was branded a “tit” for falling for the stunt.

Former Tory MP for Dorset East Sir Michael Take tweeted: “Russell Brand now believes Penelope Keith shot JFK in 1963.

“In fact Ms Keith was part of a Marxist terrorist group operating out of Surbiton at that time. Other members included: Ken Dodd, Leslie Crowther, Peter Glaze, And Cilla Black. All of whom helped her in the assassination.”

Someone else wrote: “What a tit! That absolute nobhead (sic) Russell Brand fell for a fake post saying that Penelope Keith shot JFK.”

One more said: “@rustyrockets may have deleted this – but falling for a conspiracy theory that Penelope Keith off The Good Life shot JFK is a perfect eg of why actual journalism involves scrutinising multiple sources to get at the truth.

The bogus documents claimed an actress from the Good Life shot JFK(Image: BBC)

“Tyrants & snake oil salesmen rely on idiots like Brand.”

Another said: “Russell Brand proving that if you are that wrapped up in conspiracy theories that you don’t read the evidence properly then you shouldn’t taken seriously. Ever.”

One more tweeted: “Russell Brand appears to have fallen for a conspiracy theory that claims actress Penelope Keith shot JFK. The replies are priceless.”

Alongside a photo of Penelope with actor Paul Eddington – who played her screen hubby Jerry in The Good Life and later Jim Hacker in Yes Minister a fan wrote: “People are laughing at @‌rustyrockets thinking Penelope Keith killed JFK, but look at the evidence.

“Here’s a picture of her with husband Jerry. Also a photo of UK Prime Minister Jim Hacker. There’s a striking resemblance. Something is being covered up eh, Russell?”

Another poster wrote: “Of all the reasons I would guess as to why Penelope Keith would be trending `because Russell Brand thinks she shot JFK’ is not one of them. Just when you think the internet can’t get any more bats***.”

Someone posted a photo of Margo gardening in The Good Life, adding: “Penelope Keith preparing the Grassy Knoll, 22nd November 1963.”

Another wrote: “But weren’t there two shooters? My money is on Felicity Kendall.”

One more said: “Chuckling away to myself at all these people who actually believe #PenelopeKeith shot JFK! Come on, the report is clearly fake to take the heat off Dame Judi Dench.”

The files on JFK’s death were released this week(Image: Bettmann Archive)

A fan of Penelope wrote: “The positive news of someone else’s absolute idiocy is that a whole new generation is about to discover the joy that is Penelope Keith in To the Manor Born and The Good Life.

“She wouldn’t have killed JFK, she’d have told the butler to do it.” But some who fell for the gag consulted chatbot Ask Perplexity to make sure it was a hoax.

It replied: “The claim about a ‘lone British shooter’ named Dame Penelope Keith being involved in JFK’s assassination is not based on credible evidence.

“The attached document appears to be a fabricated or satirical piece, as Penelope Keith is a well-known British actress who would have been only 23 years old at the time and had no connection to such events.

“This particular claim seems to fall into the category of speculative or fictional narratives rather than historical fact.”

One follower replied: “Spoilsport.’’

Penelope, 84, had not responded to a request for comment on Thursday.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk


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