2 October 2011 Last updated at 17:47 ET

Russell Brand fails to make Canadian gig

Russell Brand kept fans up-to-date about what was going on using Twitter

Comedian Russell Brand has been forced to postpone a show in Canada, saying customs officials had refused to let him land in a nearby town.

The star had been expected to perform in front of 5,000 people at the Casino Rama in Ontario.

Brand confirmed the news on his website, apologising to fans.

Casino Rama said the show had been "postponed due to a travel issue being experienced by the artist" but that he had not been barred from the country.

Spokeswoman Jenna Hunter told the BBC there were no customs facilities at Orillia, so the plane had been forced to divert to a different airport so he could go through customs, making him too late for the show.

In a message posted on his website, Brand said: "Tonight's Casino Rama show postponed. I'm sorry. I can't enter Canada. We must abolish the borders between our nations AND our minds."

The venue said tickets would be honoured for a rescheduled show date, but refunds were also available.

Brand had kept fans up-to-date with the situation at the airport via Twitter.

Hours before the gig announcement, he posted: "HELP! I'm gonna be late for Casino Rama show unless someone can force Canadian customs officials to let us land in Orillia."

Two hours later he wrote: "Let me in! I must perform at Casino Rama, Orillia tonight at 9 for 5000 Canadians!"

In 2008 Brand, who now lives in America, was denied entry to the US before he moved there permanently. He had been due to appear as a guest on David Letterman's talk show.

In May, Brand was deported from Japan. At the time his wife Katy Perry tweeted: "It was for priors from over 10 years ago."