Brand cancels dates due to sore throat

Russell Brand has cancelled three dates on his current stand-up tour due to a sore throat.

The comedian's publicist said in a statement that the cancelled gigs would be rescheduled, while Brand apologised to fans by saying: "I'm in bed, very confused, at the specialist's insistence.

"I'm alone - except for the cat, who I'm thinking of putting a bikini on - it must be the fever."

Brand began his tour in January in the wake of the controversy over his lewd phone calls to actor Andrew Sachs. As part of his act, Brand laughed off the incident, claiming that it was blown out of proportion.