Brand explains 'impulsive' hoax

By Sarah Jane Griffiths
Newsbeat entertainment reporter

Russell Brand says the controversial hoax call was a "spontaneous and impulsive" thing to do

Russell Brand has told Newsbeat he won't rule out making more hoax calls on stage again, following a joke he made recently in Northampton.

The 33-year-old ended up apologising for telling police he'd spotted a wanted sex attacker in front of a live audience.

"I think it's clear that I would never seek to glean laughter from people that have been in any way victimised or shoddily treated. I was surprised by some of the moralising," he said.

You can never rule that out, that's the nature of spontaneity, things just sometimes happen

The comedian, turned actor, said it was a "spontaneous and impulsive thing" to do, which is why he says he can't promise not to do it again.

"Who knows, possibly. You can never rule that out, that's the nature of spontaneity, things just sometimes happen."

The star is set to perform later in London for a charity show called The Goth Detectives.

Celebrity friends

The sold out gig at the Lyceum theatre is in aid of Focus 12, a drugs rehabilitation programme where Brand was treated for his addictions.

He's called on several of his celebrity friends to provide the comedy.

Noel Gallagher is a regular guest on Brand's BBC Radio 2 show

The Mighty Boosh star Noel Fielding, Never Mind the Buzzcocks host Simon Amstell and James Corden and Matt Horne from Gavin and Stacey will all join him on stage.

Oasis star Noel Gallagher has also promised to show up and get involved too.

"They're all brilliant, you'd go and see all of them on their own so imagine all of them together? I might write a big finale where everyone's on stage at once," Brand said.

He has also been lined up to host this year's MTV awards in September, following in the footsteps of Jack Black and Jaime Foxx.

"It isn't half big isn't it? Puts me under a lot of pressure, but it seems like a long way away to get nervous about it," he said.

Hollywood success

"There's so much stuff to be done before then. I've got to get my cat a new bed, he won't sleep in the one I've got."

Brand's stand up gigs have received good reactions from across the US.

He gives good advice and he's a laugh. Russell Brand on Adam Sandler (pictured)

"As long as you're relatively cautious and explain things and if you talk about penny farthings, then people will be confused in any country," he explained.

But Brand thinks the progress he's made in Hollywood movies is much more important.

After playing an English rock star in Judd Apatow's Forgetting Sarah Marshall, he's got several films lined up, including the sequel.

"I'll be playing Aldous Snow again, back on drugs, all mental. Then me and Matt, who produces my Radio 2 show, are doing a film.

"I'm playing an English conman living in America who ends up posing as a priest to hide from some gangsters. Adam Sandler is producing it."

He credits Sandler with a lot of his success in the US, and thinks being taken under someone's wing is key for Brits wanting to make it over there.

"He came on my MTV chat show and it's because of him I met Judd Apatow and I've just done a Disney movie with him, Bedtime Stories, that's out at Christmas.

"He's been integral he has. He gives good advice and he's a laugh. It has to be the right kind of person taking you under their wing. Adam Sandler has an incredible wingspan," Brand says.