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

The star thanked fans for their support
Natasha Sporn30 April 2018
The Weekender

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Russell Brand has cancelled his remaining Rebirth tour shows for the time being after a serious car crash left his mother with “life-threatening injuries”.

The comedian cancelled his show last Saturday citing a “personal emergency” with reports suggesting that his mother, Barbara, had been involved in a horror crash in Brentwood, Essex.

On Monday, Brand returned to social media with a verbal statement explaining recent events to fans and that he would be cancelling his tour for now.

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

Injured: Russell Brand's mother Barbara sustained multiple injuries in the car crash in Brentwood
Ian West/PA Archive/PA Images

“If you have tickets they'll be refunded or possibly rescheduled but I can’t really imagine that. 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.”

He continued: “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 really 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, about the importance and the significant 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. The soul of this country.”

He wrapped up his message by thanking his fans for their thoughts, well-wishes and prayers.

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