Comedian Russell Brand grounded in London

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - NOVEMBER 03: Actor/comedian Russell Brand arrives at Spike TV's "Eddie Murphy: One Night Only" at the Saban Theatre on November 3, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. Christopher Show more

The British actor and comic Russell Brand was forced to cancel a planned stand-up gig in Johannesburg Friday, after being denied permission to board a flight because his passport was not in order.

Brand was prevented by an airline from leaving London after it emerged he did not have two free pages in his passport, a requisite to enter South Africa, his publicist Debra de Souza said.

Brand made the announcement to his seven million plus fans on Twitter.

“Tonight’s J-burg show cancelled. SA authorities REFUSE TO LET ME INTO YOUR COUNTRY. Trying to resolve it,” Brand tweeted under the handle @rustyrockets.

Plans are under way to get the 38-year-old into the country in time for another Johannesburg show scheduled for Saturday.

The award-winning comedian had sold out four back-to-back shows in the city, starting Friday.

Local publicist Tony Feldman apologised to ticket holders for “this unexpected and disappointing last-minute change”.

The promoter was working to squeeze in a replacement show next week for Friday’s ticket-holders.

Brand’s “Messiah Complex” tour, which is running until April next year, will also take him to Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Turkey, among other destinations.

(AFP)