I’m from Essex, grew up not far from Grays where Brand grew up. I used to frequent metal and alternative club nights in Romford and Ilford etc and I remember Brand would be there from time to time swanning around in a big top hat with a cane or some other crazy outfit. Always looked all fucked up. Same as Scroobius Pip. I would always see him at The Pink Toothbrush in Rayleigh on the weekends. I worked with Scroobius Pip’s brother Ian at Borders Book Store in Lakeside for a while so I felt like I had a sort of the connection to these people even if I didn’t really know them.

When Brand and Scroobius Pip got super successful I felt kind of proud that a couple goofs I semi knew had made it out and gotten somewhere. When Brand was railing against the rich and burning down his own career doing the right thing I was behind him all the way.

Now I truly don’t know what to think or say about the guy. What the fuck he has become in recent months is something I don’t want to be associated with anymore. He’s turned into a Trump twat just to seize on the clickbait money those donkeys provide. He’s gone from being on the right side of history to spouting almost fascist idiocy.

I used to be able to say Russell Brand was someone I was proud made it to the top. I can still say that about Scroob Pip at least.