Sexy film role for Russell - July 30 2007
Russell Brand's been doing what he does best - he's been typecast as a red hot lover.

Landing a starring role in a Hollywood film entitled Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Russell plays a British rock star.

He told the Sun newspaper: "I had to do horseriding and surfing, which I was crap at, and a sex scene, which I was obviously superb at."

The 32-year-old gets up close and personal with the actress Kristen Bell, but their romantic holiday is ruined by the arrival of her ex Peter.

Russell quit his job presenting Big Brother's Big Mouth on Channel 4 to make the movie, which is directed by Judd Apatow, who also made The Forty Year Old Virgin.

The loudmouthed lothario said that he hated filming in Hawaii.

"It lasted three months and I wanted to go home after four weeks," he told the paper. "Hawaii was beautiful and warm but it felt like I was being held captive on an island paradise."


Russell to chat to PM? - July 16 2007
Russell Brand could be set to interview new Prime Minister Gordon Brown if a deal goes through with the BBC.

The eccentric comedian, who presents a BBC Radio 2 show on Saturday nights, might get to quiz Gordon in his own unique manner, according to the Sun.

A BBC Radio 2 spokeswoman could not confirm whether the interview would take place on radio or TV, but said: "There’s been discussions with the BBC but nothing has been commissioned."

Meanwhile, Russell has apparently been bragging about the interview prospect in a bulletin on his MySpace site.

He reportedly said: "This overthrowing the government caper will be a doddle if handled correctly, plus we’re dead close to securing an interview with Gordon Brown with the BBC.

"That can only speed things up. Help this to occur by troubling the Prime Minister’s office with emails. And the BBC, bother them an’ all - it could seal the deal."


Russell branded a snob - July 4 2007
Russell Brand has been invited to take a tour of an area he disparaged during a gig.

The comedian branded everyone in the Tremorfa area of Cardiff a "criminal" during an appearance at the city’s St David’s Hall on Sunday night.

It is the second time the bigmouthed funnyman has enraged locals. Earlier this year, he pulled out of the gig’s original date just 20 minutes before it was due to start.

Russell held up a local weekly newspaper and highlighted an article about the theft of £500 from Tremorfa’s Baden Powell Primary, which nursery school children had raised for charity, The South Wales Echo reported.

Using an audience member’s mobile phone, the paper said he then rang the police.

Holding the microphone up to the mobile phone, the paper said the comedian told the female civilian operator that he had information about a crime.

When asked what the information was, the paper quoted the Radio 2 DJ as saying: "Well, it could have been anyone in Tremorfa really. They are all criminals."

Splott councillor Gavin Cox, who represents the Tremorfa area, invited Russell to see the area.

He said: "As I’m originally from Liverpool I’m well versed in the working class stereotypes that seem to be generated by educated ’luvvies’ and the ’Camden set’.

"It just shows what degree of snobbery these individuals have about areas that are deprived.

"I think Russell Brand’s snide comments are typical of the man himself."