Couldn't Katy make it, Russell? Brand rocks up at Despicable Me premiere with some new friends

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By SARAH BULL

Smiling through the pain: Russell Brand smiled for photographers at the premiere of Despicable Me in London's Leicester Square despite being unwell


He had to cancel several scheduled interviews after falling ill, but Russell Brand still managed to put on a brave face at the European premiere of his new film Despicable Me.

Wrapping up warm in a scarf and thick jacket as he took to the yellow carpet in London's Leicester Square, Brand smiled for photographers, despite admitting on Twitter he was feeling 'a bit poorly'.

And the comedian, who voices the character of Dr Nefario in the new animated movie, even made some new friends, cosying up to several of the minions from the film.


New friends: Brand, who voices a character in the new animated film, posed for photographs with two of the movie's minions on the yellow carpet


Earlier in the day, Brand, who pulled out of an interview on Loose Women today, wrote on his Twitter page: 'I'm on my way to Leicester Sq for Despicable Me premiere. I feel a bit poorly so please mollycoddle me.'

And sadly for Brand, it wasn't his beautiful fiancée Katy Perry who looked after him at the event, but his co-star Steve Carell, who voices super villain character Gru in the film.

The movie, which also stars the voices of Julie Andrews and Jason Segel, tells the story of a criminal mastermind who plans to use three orphans in a new evil scheme, but then is changed by their love for each other.


'Feeling a bit poorly': Brand arrived at the premiere wrapped up in a thick coat and hat, before keeping a tissue close to hand throughout the event


Carell said about the film recently: 'It's funny to me the scenario of having a super villain adopting three little girls and then having them rule his life.

'He goes through something that every new parent goes through, and that is to have his day to day existence turned upside down, and they have to deal with it.'

Other stars at the premiere included Jason Donovan, who attended with his children Jemma and Zach, Loose Women host Andrea McLean with son Finlay John and daughter Amy and presenter Dermot Murnaghan with three of his four children.


Co-stars: Steve Carell, who also voices a character in the film, was on hand to ensure Brand was feeling OK for the premiere


Family night out: Jason Donovan arrived with his children Jemma and Zach, while presenter Dermot Murnaghan was accompanied by three of his four children


Brand has been working hard promoting his new autobiography Booky Wook 2: This Time It's Personal.

And it seems the comedian's fame is going from strength to strength - so much so that the bosses over at Madame Tussauds decided it would be fitting to create a new waxwork of him.

The model of the star, which cost £150,000 to create, was unveiled at the London attraction this morning.


Playing the fool: Brand appeared to be in good spirits as he was interviewed by Jenni Falconer outside the cinema


Grecian style: Presenter Anneka Tanaka-Svenska braved the chilly London weather in a backless white gown


Get Me To The Greek star Brand attended a sitting for Madame Tussauds sculptors in Los Angeles earlier this year.

His figure has been dressed in a Ted Baker grey suit with his signature tight trousers, an open neck black shirt, silver jewellery and topped off with 'guy-liner'.

Brand will be placed with the celebrities in the 'A-list party' area of Tussauds, just a canape's throw from Dame Helen Mirren, his co-star on forthcoming movie Arthur.

Liz Edwards, PR manager at Madame Tussauds, said: 'He will undoubtedly be one of the most visually striking figures here at Madame Tussauds London.'


Immortalised: A waxwork of Brand was revealed at London's Madame Tussauds this morning


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