Russell Brand Banned From South Africa

Things didn't go quite as planned for Russell Brand when he attempted to board a plane to South Africa on Friday. The actor/comedian is reportedly banned from entering the country, though the reasons surrounding the ban are not entirely clear.

Brand was scheduled to perform as part of his Messiah Complex tour in Johannesburg -- a show that has since been canceled.

Banned from South Africa. Here ready to go. Refused entry. Hope I can come soon #MessiahComplex pic.twitter.com/9DmnWqGR1F

-- Russell Brand (@rustyrockets) November 15, 2013

According to TMZ, Brand was also banned from entering Canada in 2011. And that's not the only place that's keeping its distance from the comedian -- according to Google users, at least.

"@rpower18: can't help but wonder if you're going for a full set? pic.twitter.com/1wsx5gvjpq" I might have to start taking responsibility.

-- Russell Brand (@rustyrockets) November 15, 2013

Good thing the funny man has a sense of humor about it.

UPDATE: The Daily Mail reports that according to his publicist, Debra de Souza, Brand was banned from boarding the flight to South Africa because "he did not have two free pages in his passport" -- the minimum amount of free space needed to gain access to the country.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story stated that Brand was asked to head home after arriving at the airport in South Africa. Rather, he was banned from boarding the flight to South Africa.