Russell back on the market? - Dec 13 2007
Russell Brand is reportedly newly single after splitting from his girlfriend Laura Gallacher.

The 32-year-old TV presenter and comedian - who stars in the forthcoming flick St Trinian's - told the Daily Mirror: "I don't have a girlfriend at the moment."

He added: "I was fine surrounded by all those pretty girls on set. I fancied Rupert Everett, he was gorgeous as the headmistress!"

Russell and Laura, 20, the younger sister of TV presenter Kirsty Gallacher, have had an on/off relationship since last year.

The wild-haired star has previously been linked to a string of beauties including Kate Moss, Sadie Frost and Big Brother contestants Kate Lawler and Makosi Musambasi.

In his recent autobiography, My Booky Wook, he confessed that he once suffered from eating disorders, heroin and alcohol dependency - and a hopeless addiction to sex.

However - he now insists he is over his obsession with bedding people.

"I've stopped chasing people," he said. "Alarmingly, if you don't make a huge effort to seduce women, none of them are bothered."

Russell has royal Zara in his sights - Dec 4 2007
TV funnyman Russell Brand told the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and the audience at the 79th Royal Variety Performance of his growing interest in her grand-daughter Zara Phillips.

On stage at the Liverpool Empire Theatre, the 32-year-old said: "I have been thinking an awful lot about Zara recently, no, just wondering if she’s single.

"Nah, there would be a courtship... then a court martial."

Russell, famed for dating a host of celebrities, wondered aloud what he should say to the Queen upon introduction.

He said he would feel very nervous but would say: "Are you aware I’m shagger of the year?

"Not that I’m suggesting a demo or anything."

Brand, the former presenter of Big Brother’s Big Mouth, upped the ante further claiming to be very respectful of the Queen.

"When I lick a stamp I always do it with my eyes closed," he said.

After the performance, the comic said the Queen "said she enjoyed my act very much and she wished it had been me who broke into her bedroom that time".

American comedienne and chat show host Joan Rivers went down a treat - using a handful of swearwords.

She said later: "Prince Philip was very charming and thought it was very funny."

Acts included Bon Jovi, James Blunt, Seal, Enrique Iglesias and Katherine Jenkins.

But the biggest cheer of the night was saved for Britain’s Got Talent winner Paul Potts, who belted out Pavarotti’s Nessun Dorma.

Russ: I’d love to start a family - Nov 23 2007
He’s admitted to addictions to drugs, alcohol and sex - but now he’s clean Russell Brand insists he can’t wait to be a dad.

The leather-clad presenter is cagey about his current girlfriend, but says he can’t wait to start a family.

"There’s someone I care about a lot, but I’m taking it slowly," he says. "I’d love to have children. I would like to be monogamous but it’s difficult. You keep thinking, ’Look at that person, I wonder what they’re like, let’s fall in love with them’. It’s not just sex. It’s the adventure."

The wild-haired star is busy promoting his autobiography, My Booky Wook. But readers who are hoping for a kiss and tell account of his conquests with such famous names as Kate Moss are in for a disappointment.