But then Russell said the Cameron story was "as good an anti-drugs campaign as you’re going to get", adding "don’t take drugs you might end up leader of the Tories with a face like a little painted egg".

Viewers also complained about Russell saying it was time to find out "who has pierced the hymen of awareness to ejaculate success into the uterus of popular culture".

ITV, which began broadcasting The Brits at 8pm, before the watershed, with a 30-second delay, said most viewers would expect him to be "edgy" and "provocative".

The broadcaster said his comments didn’t glamorise, condone, or encourage drug abuse.

Ofcom said the sexual references and drug comments wouldn’t have been understood by young children.

The comments were made in a "tongue-in-cheek" style expected at a music awards ceremony broadcast after 8pm, it said.

Ofcom added: "Importantly, the overall context of the comments made by the presenter was not that drugs were acceptable."

It concluded that "there was no breach of the (broadcasting) Code".

The watchdog didn’t investigate Russell’s other comments, saying they were justified at a music event.


Russell bows out of Big Brother show - April 6 2007
Following three years as the host of Big Brother’s Big Mouth, award-winning comedian Russell Brand has announced he will not return to the show for a fourth series.

"The three years I’ve spent on Big Brother’s Big Mouth have been an unprecedented joy and I am grateful to both Channel 4 and Endemol for boldly taking the risk and employing an ex-junky twerp to front such a lovely show," he said in a statement.

"Big Mouth has afforded me opportunities that are too exciting to turn down, so alas I can do it no more. And whilst I recognise this isn’t as significant as the resignation of Beckham or the Cuban Missile Crisis, I just wanted to say thanks to everyone. Love ooh. Bye!"

A spokesperson for Channel 4 added: "Russell Brand has been a fantastic front man for E4’s Big Brother’s Big Mouth for the past three years. We wish him all the best in his new adventures."

Forthcoming plans for the wild-haired comedian include appearances in the Reese Witherspoon film Penelope, ITV series Cold Blood, and the eagerly awaited film St Trinian’s opposite Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Stephen Fry and Emily Watson.

He is also working on a new Channel 4 series for the autumn.

Russell wins top performer award - Mar 24 2007
Russell Brand has scooped an award for best UK performer in a non-acting role.

The Brits host, 31, got the gong for The Russell Brand Show and Russell Brand’s Got Issues, both on Channel 4, as well as Big Brother’s Big Mouth and his MTV show.

Dame Helen Mirren continued her winning streak at the Broadcasting Press Guild’s 33rd annual Television and Radio Awards.

The Oscar-winning Queen star won best actress for ITV1’s Prime Suspect: The Final Act as Det Supt Jane Tennison.

Jim Broadbent was named best actor for his role as Lord Longford in Channel 4 drama Longford, about the campaigner’s relationship with Myra Hindley.

Longford also won the award for best single drama.

Time-travelling BBC1 show Life On Mars took two awards - for best drama and the writer’s award.