British comedian Russell Brand ‘stranded’ in Mullumbimby amid coronavirus outbreak

Comedian Russell Brand, who is holed up in northern NSW after his Australian tour was cancelled amid the coronavirus outbreak, is considering whether he can return home to the UK

COMEDIAN and actor Russell Brand says he is “stranded” in Australia amid the coronavirus outbreak and is considering whether to return home to the UK.

The British comedian retreated to the northern NSW town of Mullumbimby, near Byron Bay, after the rest of the Australian and New Zealand leg of his Recovery Live Tour was postponed last week.

It comes as international flights are stripped back in Australia and the British government ramps up measures to tackle the outbreak, encouraging the public to self isolate and avoid non-essential contact with others.

WHAT BRINGS RUSSELL BRAND TO RAMSEY ST?

Fans snapped a photo with Russell Brand in Mullumbimby on Sunday. Picture: Instagram/ @jadeybugs_

In a video shared to his YouTube page on Thursday about the effects of self isolation on mental health, Brand said he was considering whether he should return home to the UK.

“I happen to be in Australia at the moment and one of the biggest questions I’m confronting – and we are all dealing with personal things, it could be as serious as a vulnerable loved one being sick or the financial implications of this or the psychological implications of this – and my personal little deal is ‘Oh wow, do we go back to the UK now? Or when?’ Where you’re from is where you’re from; it’s a tricky one isn’t it,” Brand said.

Since cancelling his tour, Brand has been spotted visiting cafes and local businesses in Mullumbimby and Byron Bay.

Russell Brand shared a video from Australia about self-isolation to his YouTube page

In the video the comedian spoke about the dangers of missing out on human contact while the world retreats into self isolation and moves online to stay connected.

“Now suddenly it (online) is the only option we’ve got. Even in remote places such as the one where I find myself currently stranded there is suspicion and fear,” he said.

“I’m a person that has to belong to support groups and communities to help with my numerous, much discussed and pretty bloody obvious mental health issues, primarily around addiction.

“I like to meet other people with addiction issues or alcoholism issues and get support as I work a 12-step program. That becomes increasingly impossible in self isolation.

“Thankfully there are online hook up groups, not hook up groups, that’s a different thing, that’s the old life, meet up groups, that’s much more my speed.”

Originally published as British comedian Russell Brand ‘stranded’ in Mullumbimby amid coronavirus outbreak