Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Russell Brand cancels Rebirth tour after mother sustains 'life-threatening injuries' in car crash

'I can't imagine performing at the moment, I feel too sad and too connected to this'

Clarisse Loughrey
Monday 30 April 2018 11:15 EDT
Comments
Russell Brand cancels Rebirth tour after mother sustains 'life-threatening injuries' in car crash

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Russell Brand has cancelled the remainder of his Rebirth tour after a serious car accident left his mother, Barbara, with "life-threatening injuries".

The comedian had cancelled his show on Saturday, citing a "personal emergency"; he has now taken to social media to explain to fans that he would be cancelling his tour for the foreseeable future.

"My mum's been in a really serious road accident and has sustained what are called polytraumatic injuries, that means numerous, life-threatening injuries, so I won’t be able to do the rest of my Rebirth tour," he said in a video posted to Twitter.

“If you have tickets they'll be refunded or possibly rescheduled but I can’t really imagine that," he continued. "I can't imagine performing at the moment, I feel too sad and too connected to this. I apologise, but obviously it's circumstances beyond my control.”

"What I realise through this are some things that are really obvious, the importance of people you love and how often these things happen."

"When you're in hospital you're surrounded by people in traumatic situations and suffering and pain so it brings you to a kind of bare and raw truth about your own reality."

“I'm sad for my mum because she's vulnerable. She only finished chemotherapy a month ago so for her to be in this situation - it's very difficult. The man who was driving, a friend of mine, he’s making a good recovery."

“What I suppose I would like to say is how I am reminded, as I have [been] many times across my life, about the importance and significance of the NHS who have already saved her life on six occasions – my mum’s had cancer six times – and to see the way that the medical professionals operate is a phenomenal thing. We should be really grateful for the NHS."

"I think of it as the soul of this country: where people are benevolent and kind and are doing something valuable for a living." He ended up thanking his fans for their positive messages and prayers.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in