Russell Brand receives death threats

• 22nd Oct 2008

Russell Brand has revealed that he received death threats after presenting the MTV Video Music Awards.

During the awards, Brand made several risque jokes, which were not received well by all.

Brand refered to US President George W. Bush as a “retarded cowboy” and also likened Britney Spears to a “female Christ.” As a final flourish, he pleaded, “Please, America, elect Barack Obama. On behalf of the world,” to cheers from half the celeb audience, and stunned silence from the rest.

“The VMAs were a lot of fun. Especially the death threats. If you are going to kill someone, don’t give them advance notice, which gives you a chance to prepare. These Christian Republicans were watching me and thought, 'Well, this is no good, I shall do a death threat,'” Brand quipped.

He added to BBC Radio 1: “How can you, while watching the TV, think, 'Oh I don’t enjoy this, no I’m not enjoying this at all,’ then think, 'Right I’m going to kill him?’ That’s a huge jump.”

Let's hope Katy Perry is better received when presenting the MTV Europe Music awards next month. Or not.