Russell on his own Brand of comedy
Controversial comic is still not on the good side of Bob Geldof -- among others, writes Alison O'Riordan
Sunday November 08 2009
The hilarious raconteur and inexhaustible shagger would like to be given the chance to get back on the good side of Bob Geldof, after their public falling-out, but, more importantly, Russell Brand wouldn't rule out a fling with Irish singer-songwriter Sinead O'Connor.
It all began at the 2006 NME Awards when Brand presented an award for Best DVD for Live 8 to Bob Geldof.
The Irish political activist, who was clearly unimpressed with Brand's jokes about fellow luminaries, attacked the host by beginning his speech with the words "Russell Brand -- what a c**t" to which Brand replied: "Really, it's no surprise Geldof's such an expert on famine. He has, after all, been dining out on I Don't Like Mondays for 30 years."
Back then Brand was genuinely hurt and shocked, but time is a healer and bears the Irish singer "no ill-will". Russell said: "I have not had the opportunity to get back on a good footing with Bob. Even at the time, I thought this man had done so much for global poverty and suffering, so I will tolerate a little abuse from him.
"If Mother Teresa kneed me in the nuts, I'd go: 'Ouch, sore, but well done.' However since then I have heard him say he thought it was a brilliant and incredibly witty response."
Having dated Kate Moss, wooed Britney Spears, charming Russell wouldn't rule out a rendezvous with Sinead O'Connor. He said: "One always speculates what it would be like to be in a romance with dear Sinead. That would be exciting wouldn't it? She is a powerful human being. I like the way she is outspoken, maternal and artistic. I have never met her and I don't think I'd approach her, but I would definitely await an introduction."
At the moment women are off-limits to Russell as he is dating quirky American pop-star Katy Perry, whose most famous hit is the attention-grabbing I Kissed a Girl. She is the latest beauty to fall for the charms of the British comedian. "I am very much fulfilled. Having met Katy she has certainly been a catalyst in changing my life but I have been changing my life for myself first and foremost, because it's a better way for me to be living at this time. I really enjoy what I'm doing and the way I'm living.
"I've been really happy in the last couple of months. All I know is that I have met someone who I like and makes me happy. I think it's sensible to take things one step at a time. You can't really speculate, but at the moment I'm very happy being with the one woman," he said.
Not wanting to draw comparisons between Irishman Colin Farrell and himself about notches on the bed-post -- in case Colin "may consider such competition vulgar" -- Brand, who hails from Essex, commented on his jaw-droppingly frank book My Booky Wook, which came out this time last year and concentrated on his thorny rise to fame.
It introduced us to the man behind the hair, his addictions to drink, drugs and sex.
"I think in some ways it was about redemption. Mostly I was being in tune with what I felt would be good to write about and what I thought was truthful and honest. You can't really manipulate people in that way, they either want to read or watch things or they don't," said Brand, who quit the BBC this year over messages he left on the answering machine of actor Andrew Sachs, with co-host Jonathan Ross.
All he had to say on that matter was: "I don't regret leaving the message. Georgina Baillie hasn't been in touch. In fact there are no memories at all, be it fond or unfond."
Tickets for 'Russell Brand Scandalous', at The O2 Dublin on Tuesday and at The Odyssey Arena, Belfast, on Wednesday, are on sale now.
Sunday Independent
