Brand’s Belfast gig cancelled as he axes tour over mum’s accident
COMEDIAN Russell Brand has called off the rest of his standup tour — including a gig in Belfast — following his mother’s accident.
Barbara Brand (71) was taken to hospital last week after she was badly injured in a hit-andrun car crash.
The comic posted a video on Twitter, telling his fans: “My mum’s been in a really serious road accident and has sustained what are called poly-traumatic injuries, that means numerous, life-threatening injuries.
“So, I won’t be able to do the rest of my Re:Birth tour.
“If you’ve got tickets, they’ll be refunded or possibly rescheduled but I can’t really imagine that and I certainly can’t imagine performing at the moment because I feel too sad and too connected to this. I apologise but obviously it’s circumstances beyond my control.”
The star was due to appear at the Waterfront in Belfast on Saturday, May 26 as part of his Re:Birth tour.
Speaking via Twitter on Monday, Brand said he realised “the importance of people you love”.
He added: “I’m sad for my mum. She’s vulnerable and she only finished chemotherapy a month ago. For her to be in this situation already is very difficult.”
He praised the NHS, saying “to see the way the medical professionals operate is phenomenal. We should be really grateful for the NHS. I think of it as the soul of this country.”
He added: “The man who was driving was a friend of mine. What I suppose I would like to say is how I am reminded, as I have been many times across my life, is the importance and significance of the NHS who have already saved her life on six occasions, my mum has had cancer six times.”
Brand said he would be off “social media for a while”, adding: “Thank you for all your positive, beautiful messages.”
Barbara Brand was travelling in the back of the comedian’s chauffeur-driven Audi A8 when it collided with a Vauxhall Astra near Brentwood, Essex, on Thursday, according to The Sun.