Brand's drug saviour

Jan 21, 2007, 8:00 GMT

Russell Brand has thanked his manager for saving him from drugs.

The 'Big Brother's Big Mouth' presenter first met John Noel when he was addicted to heroin but checked into rehab and reignited his stalled career after John persuaded him to.

Russell said: "Before I met him my career was bleak. John told me to sit down, shut up and sort myself out. He paid my rent for two years and got me into treatment. He made me realise I wasn't going to achieve anything if I couldn't take care of myself."

Although he is now clean, the comedian has confessed it was not easy overcoming his demons.

He explained: "I took one day at a time and for about a year I was a fragile little man and made small, funny films and rode a bike."

Russell also insists he is not as wild as his persona makes him out to be.

He said: "I'll read that I'm a "'self-confessed womaniser' or that I 'claim to be edgy and dangerous' and of course I've never said any of those things."

(C) BANG Media International