Stand-Up Show Rep Plays Down Brand's Customs Comedy

A spokesperson for Russell Brand's cancelled comedy show has played down reports suggesting the Brit was barred entry into Canada at the weekend (01Oct11), insisting his plane never took off from a California airport due to mechanical problems.

The Forgetting Sarah Marshall star was forced to cancel a stand-up showat the Casino Rama in Orillia, and took to Twitter.com to let fans know he had been held up at immigration control.

He wrote, "Help! I'm gonna be late for Casino Rama show unless someone can force Canadian customs officials to let us land in Orillia!... How doyou manipulate customs officials? Wasn't Hitler's father a customs officer? I'm pretty sure he was... Let me in! I must perform at Casino Rama, Orillia tonight at 9 for 5000 Canadians!" But it appears the British funnyman's attempt at humour was taken too seriously and the drama was reported as a customs issue.

Casino Rama spokesperson Jenna Hunter has since confirmed Brand's flight was grounded because of technical issues and a replacement plane could not be secured in time.

A message on the venue's Twitter page on Saturday read, "Ok all, let's be clear, rustyrockets is still in Cali, he never left, he has no immigration or border issue, it was a tech issue with plane!" And Hunter addressed the controversy herself on Sunday (02Oct11), telling The Canadian Press, "I think he's trying to be witty about the whole thing, but it really was just a plane issue. It wasn't a customs issue at all".

Brand was deported from Japan back in May (11) because of his previous drug convictions.