Back to school for new Brand of student

IN THE lead-up to last year’s general election, Russell Brand was our most prominent revolutionary, for better or worse. But when Labour lost, he disappeared to Henley-on-Thames. Now The Londoner hears the guerrilla comedian is plotting an educated return.

In February, students at the School of Oriental and Afric an Studies in Bloomsbur y s aw Br a nd’s f a mil i a r bird’s-nest hair bobbing down their corridors. Was he there to the preach to the masses? Nope. It seems he is trying to sign up to be preached to — as a new student at SOAS.

In a recent podcast, Brand stated that he was keen to return to education. “I am going to do a degree in Religion in Global Politics,” he said. “I’m going to spend the next three years doing it part-time. You only have to pop in a day a week .” But it s t i l l wasn’t concrete.

“I’ve not done it yet. I’ve got to go for the interview next week. I’m hoping they’re going to let me in just on the basis of ‘Come on, let me in, I’ve been on the fucking telly. Give us a break’.” He did not name the institution but SOAS is the only place The Londoner knows of that offers a Masters in Religion in Global Politics.

The news is spreading around campus — a SOAS student tweeted they had heard of Brand’s pending arrival — but the comedian’s representatives are less willing to share. SOAS, meanwhile, is playing coy, saying: “We attract applications from a diverse range of talented students.” Alumni include Aung San Suu Kyi and Brand’s ex, Jemima Goldsmith.

Brand did not do A-levels, so may not strictly meet the entry requirements, but maybe he has hidden talents.