Brand leaves movie premiere early

Russell Brand turned up at the European premiere of his new film, Despicable Me - only to duck out before the film even started.

Russell Brand turned up at the European premiere of his new film, Despicable Me - only to duck out before the film even started.

Wearing black skinny jeans, heeled cowboy boots and a leather jacket, the British funnyman, who missed the unveiling of his waxwork at Madame Tussauds and a book signing earlier citing illness, walked down the bright yellow carpet accompanied by a couple of Minions - characters from the film - at London's Leicester Square, ahead of co-stars Steve Carell and Miranda Cosgrove, but immediately left on a motorcycle as soon as he finished his interviews.

"It's just like the good old days when I always had a couple of little yellow minions following me around," he said.

Russell, who lends his distinctive voice to evil sidekick Dr Nefario in the animated comedy, revealed how family, friends and Ray Winstone unknowingly inspired his character.

"I thought it would be nice to make him sound like a dirty old British person. My uncle Bert speaks like that, my mate Danny speaks like that, and Ray Winstone speaks like that," he said.

Russell, 35, kept details of his forthcoming wedding close to his chest.

"I've no idea about the wedding. We might hold it in the Arctic now," he joked.

Asked about his fiancee Katy Perry, who is due to perform on an upcoming episode of The X Factor, he said: "She's out and about, ducking and diving."

Steve Carell - who recently starred with Paul Rudd in Dinner For Schmucks - voices super-villain Gru, while Miranda Cosgrove of Nickelodeon's iCarly fame lends her talents to orphan Margo in Despicable Me.

Jason Donovan, EastEnders stars Nina Wadia and Nitin Ganatra, The Wanted and TV presenters Dermot Murnaghan, Alice Beer and Caroline Flack also attended the premiere.