RELATIVES of an elderly man who was mocked after appearing in an advert for a bank before he died have said Russell Brand should apologise.

The controversial comedian ridiculed 75-year-old Sam Wright during a web video he uploaded criticising Barclays for links to an Israeli defence firm.

The television advert shows Mr Wright, who died in June, learning about the internet and online banking.

But his family was mortified when Mr Brand made crude jokes about his computer use, as well as implying he was supportive of Israeli drone attacks.

Mr Wright’s son Steve, 57, of Mitford Close, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, said: “What he was suggesting is completely incorrect and my dad did not deserve that kind of slur. It is outrageous really. I am angry and disappointed.”

Sam Wright suffered a stroke and died five weeks after the advert first aired on television.

Steve Wright said his father, who worked as a market superintendent in South Shields, was respected in the South Tyneside community and was very proud of appearing in the Barclays Digital Eagles commercials.

Mr Wright, an employability tutor, who has a 23-year-old daughter and a13-year-old son, said: “It just was not very nice and Brand has forgotten that he was someone’s dad and granddad, a well respected fella who did not deserve what he has suggested.

“He was a real person and a lot of people are extremely upset by it, including me.

“My daughter was devastated because it was her grandad and my son detected there was an atmosphere in the house so we showed him the film. We did not really want to because it was quite offensive but we did not want to hide it from him, so we had to explain what had happened. He was really upset.”

Mr Brand, who posted his video as part of a series called The Trews, has not commented on the matter.

Mr Wright said: “I am an understanding guy. I hope he would have the courtesy to admit he had got it wrong, give us an apology and take down the video but I do not know if he thinks like that.”

A spokesman for Barclays said: “We have every sympathy with Mr Wright’s family.”