Russell Brand (pictured) will switch on the Christmas lights in Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Residents in a town dubbed Millionaires’ Row because of the number of mansions are furious because Left-wing comedian Russell Brand will switch on their Christmas lights.
It was revealed the 42-year-old would be turning on the lights in the affluent Buckinghamshire town but the announcement has not gone down well with locals.
Alasdair Gibb said he is ‘disgusted’ at the plan for Mr Brand to perform the annual ceremony on November 23 and will not go to the event for the first time in 11 years.
He said: ‘The big switch-on? The biggest switch-off, more like.’
Mr Brand, from Grays, Essex, will follow in the footsteps of former Bake Off presenter Mary Berry, 82, who switched on the lights last year.
In 2015, Olympic rowing hero and Marlow-born Sir Steve Redgrave, did the honours but Mr Brand’s involvement has sparked outraged.
Residents living in the affluent town, where detached properties sold for an average of more than £1million last year, have criticised the council online.
One local resident said he and his family will be avoiding the event for the first time in 11 years in protest.
Mr Gibb said: ‘Marlow Town Council must have suffered a collective memory failure when choosing “A-list comedian” Russell Brand as this year’s celebrity guest.
‘With self-confessed addictions to drugs and sex, he’s hardly a role model for the young.
‘The big switch-on? The biggest switch-off, more like.’
Residents living in the affluent town (pictured), where detached properties sold for an average of more than £1million last year, have criticised the council online
Dill Gray said: ‘Thank God I don’t live in Marlow – I would think with him switching the lights on would be enough to cancel Christmas.
‘Sorry but I really cannot stand him at any price.’
Social media user Markus62 wrote on a local social media page: ‘He’s an offensive little man who thinks he can bully people because he’s famous.
‘Look what he did to Andrew Sachs, drugs and assaults seem to be his way of life, not a good role model for anybody.
‘If he’s in a film I switch it over, can’t stand the guy so I guess you could say there’s no way I’m going to Marlow.’
Shaky2 added: ‘Brand should be paying Marlow to turn the lights on. If I had my way he would never be heard of again CAN’T stand him.’
And Agender Bender added: ‘Well done to Marlow Town Council for making suremany families won’t be joining what normally is a really fun event.
Alasdair Gibb said he is ‘disgusted’ at the plan for Mr Brand to perform the annual ceremony in the town (pictured)
‘Putting his chemical issues aside, what he purposely did to Andrew Sachs is so past the pale it beggars belief they’ve brought this moppet in.’
However, Clare McCorkell was pleased with the council’s decision and wrote: ‘Fantastic choice – yes he had a bad past but he is proof you can turn your life around.’
Rebecca Frances wrote ‘So exciting, can’t wait’ and Catherine Mallinson said ‘Brilliant, looking forward to it.’
Celebrities are usually paid a fee, often more than £2,000, to switch on Christmas lights, though it’s not clear what Marlow taxpayers will be paying Mr Brand.
But if reports in April last year are to be believed, he’s not likely to need the switch-on fee.
The reports said the ‘anti-capitalist’ star planned a luxury swimming pool and home cinema at a £3.3million thatched cottage he had purchased near Windsor Castle and was spending £1million on renovations.