Brand held after May Day strip

Comic turned MTV presenter Russell Brand has been detained by police after stripping naked at the May Day protests.

He reportedly performed his strip-tease in front of baying anti-capitalist protesters in London's Piccadilly Circus.

The 24-year-old was grabbed by police after he ripped off his T-shirt, jeans and underpants.

The host of MTV's Dance Floor Chart had previously teased officers by waving a vibrator at them.

Police released him after he put his clothes back on.

He said: "It was a moment of madness to show you can do something to change your life."

News website Ananova reports "He says he did it for a variety of reasons, mentioning 'ecological', 'Armageddon', and 'culture' without making a great deal of sense."

An MTV spokeswoman said: "Oh God. That sounds like Russell."

She added that his stunt will not affect his employment.

Published: 1 May 2002