PICTURED: Russell Brand keeps children entertained by TICKLING them on 2009 film set... a decade before vowing to punch anyone who does it to his daughters because it 'violates their space'

  • Brand, 43, was pictured amusing a group of children while filming hit comedy Get Him To The Greek 
  • The actor and comedian has claimed tickling should be banned because it 'subverts bodily autonomy'
  • He admitted he regrets tickling his friend David Baddiel's son Ezra in the past 
  • The star recently faced a backlash for saying he hasn't looked after two daughters Mabel, two, and Peggy, six months for 24 hours at a time on his own

By Jason Chester and Lara Keay For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

He sparked a healthy debate after calling for tickling children to be banned because it 'violates their space'.

But Russell Brand appeared to have a very different opinion in 2009 while accompanied by a group of children on the set of his hit comedy, Get Him To The Greek. 

The actor and comedian, 43, entertained the youngsters by tickling, chasing and lifting them off their feet as he took a break between scenes at Shepperton Studios in Surrey. 

 Divisive: He sparked a healthy debate after calling for tickling children to be banned because it 'violates their space,' but Russell Brand appeared to have a very different opinion in 2009

 Divisive: He sparked a healthy debate after calling for tickling children to be banned because it 'violates their space,' but Russell Brand appeared to have a very different opinion in 2009

Surrounded by production trailers, Brand - who played philandering, drug abusing rock star Aldous Snow in the film - appeared to take no issue with grabbing the children, who were clearly delighted with his antics.

At one point the British star, dressed in a white vest and skinny jeans, held one young girl beneath the arms before lifting her up, much to her obvious amusement. 

The pictures, taken several years before Brand became a father, follow the star's recent claim that he would  'punch' anyone who tickled his own daughters Mabel, two, and Peggy, six months, claiming it 'violates their bodily autonomy'.

Good times: The actor and comedian, 43, entertained the youngsters by tickling, chasing and lifting them off their feet as he took a break between scenes on the set of Get Him To The Greek

Good times: The actor and comedian, 43, entertained the youngsters by tickling, chasing and lifting them off their feet as he took a break between scenes on the set of Get Him To The Greek

Here we go: Surrounded by production trailers, Brand appeared to take no issue with grabbing the children, who were clearly delighted with his antics
Here we go: Surrounded by production trailers, Brand appeared to take no issue with grabbing the children, who were clearly delighted with his antics

Here we go: Surrounded by production trailers, Brand appeared to take no issue with grabbing the children, who were clearly delighted with his antics

Change of opinion: The pictures, taken several years before Brand became a father, follow the star's recent claim that he would 'punch' anyone who tickled his own daughters

Change of opinion: The pictures, taken several years before Brand became a father, follow the star's recent claim that he would 'punch' anyone who tickled his own daughters

He told The Daily Star he regrets doing it to fellow comedian David Baddiel's son Ezra in the past.

He told the newspaper: 'It is an attempt to subvert the child's bodily autonomy, to take away their right to their own space and peace.

'Would you do it to an adult? Would you insert your rigid fingers into their belly or their armpits? Of course not.' 

Watch out: Brand pretended to be a monster as he chased the young children on set in 2009

Watch out: Brand pretended to be a monster as he chased the young children on set in 2009

He said he 'loathes' it when people tickle children and believes they are 'not old enough to decide for themselves' so it should be outlawed.

Brand is married to TV presenter Kirsty Gallacher's sister Laura, 31, who he lives with in a quiet Oxfordshire village.

He recently came under fire for admitting he has never spent 24 hours alone with their two daughters because their mother is more suited to the role.

Happy couple: Brand is married to TV presenter Kirsty Gallacher's sister Laura, 31 (pictured together in London in November) who he lives with in a quiet Oxfordshire village

Happy couple: Brand is married to TV presenter Kirsty Gallacher's sister Laura, 31 (pictured together in London in November) who he lives with in a quiet Oxfordshire village

He told The Sunday Times: 'She wouldn't go away for 24 hours, Laura.

'Laura's able to sustain and maintain domesticity in a way that's astonishing. I didn't have much experience of how to organise domesticity. I do whatever I'm told. 

'It turns out that she is extremely well versed in the nuances and complexities of child-rearing.' 

He admitted he is 'too sensitive' to change nappies and his 'romantic, reflective, religious world view' prevents him from being a full-time parent.  

Regrets: The comedian says he regrets tickling his friend and fellow comic David Baddiel's (second right) son Ezra (right) in the past

Regrets: The comedian says he regrets tickling his friend and fellow comic David Baddiel's (second right) son Ezra (right) in the past

Russell Brand

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