Despite the maelstrom of rape and sexual assault allegations against him, Russell Brand defiantly showed up last night to perform his stand-up comic show in front of 2,000 adoring fans.
The audience at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theater in North West London whooped and cheered when the comedian came on stage over an hour late.
One woman held up a sign that read, “We have your back, Russell. Stay strong, stay free. We love you xx.”
Brand, dressed in blue jeans and a blazer, enjoyed the admiration.
‘Thank you, I love you. Thank you thank you. I appreciate you, I appreciate you,” he said, barely audible over the cheering.
Despite the maelstrom of rape and sexual assault allegations against him, which Brand has denied, the comedian defiantly showed up to perform his stand-up comic show.
‘Sorry, I was late. It was actually due to a traffic jam.’
He asked fans not to film him, adding: “I really appreciate your support. I love you. I want to make a fantastic show for you.
‘I have a lot to talk to you about. There are obviously some things I absolutely cannot talk about and I appreciate you understanding. I love you a lot already. I’m going to give you everything I have. Let’s go.’
It didn’t take long for Brand to make a thinly veiled reference to the controversy surrounding him.
Pointing to a long-haired audience member, Brand joked that the man looked like him and was a “body double.” “That might come in handy,” he said to another round of thunderous applause.
Fans, who had paid £35 per ticket, had waited patiently for more than an hour for Brand to arrive. They scrolled through the latest news stories about Brand on their phones, unsure if he would even show up.
The 7pm start time came and went, with an announcement over the PA that the strip was stuck in traffic on the M40. Meanwhile, David Bowie’s Rebel Rebel was one of the songs playing on the sound system.
After finally taking the stage, Brand began his usual routine of dirty sexual jokes, politics and spirituality.
Pointing to a long-haired audience member, Brand joked that the man looked like him and was a “body double.”
He joked about becoming a father, saying, “I haven’t had sex since I got married.”
He spoke about reinventing himself from promiscuous playboy to wellness guru, adding: ‘I’ve changed my life – I’m now vegan and don’t watch pornography.’
Brand said he was “trying to love a spiritual life and discern what is real and what is false,” and touched on his fascination with conspiracy theories, which have earned him millions of followers on social media.
“I know I’m not the only one who doesn’t trust authority,” he said, adding to the applause of the loyal crowd. Brand had previously accused those who made the allegations against him of being part of a “coordinated attack” by the mainstream media.
Some fans seemed to agree last night. One told The Mail on Sunday: ‘I believe him completely. I can’t believe he would do something he’s accused of.
Brand said he was “trying to love a spiritual life and discern what is real and what is false,” and elaborated on his fascination with conspiracy theories, which have earned him millions of followers on social media.
‘He is right. He will be on the right side of history.” Another said: ‘The authorities are out to get him. We believe him completely.’ A third added: ‘I would always come tonight. I don’t think anything is wrong.’
After just over an hour on stage, Brand abruptly ended his show at 9:05 p.m. – five minutes after the Dispatches program began airing.
He said: ‘Thank you for a great evening. I really appreciate you being here. I love you. I’m sorry I was so late. I hope you enjoyed it. I hope you know that I love you. Stay close. Stay awake. Stay free. Thank you.’
Fans gave the comedian a standing ovation as he left.
One said: ‘I didn’t expect it to be done so quickly. It was an abrupt end. I know the Dispatches are about to start – he probably had to rush to check that out. It’s very strange.’