The Graham Norton Show

Russell Brand talks about fame and reveals he once gave his dirty underwear to Helen Mirren; Emily Blunt says she laughed in President Obama's face; and Paloma Faith reveals her mum won't be watching her on the show.

Russell Brand, talking about fame, says, "I like being recognised and I like some elements of it. When you first get famous it is really good fun. Then you realise that some of it is quite contaminating because you can't really have a private life and that a bit of a weird thing. It's not a terrible thing, but it's a bit of a pain in the arse and lately I've become a bit disillusioned with the whole thing of celebrity because people go on about it all the time and it's used to distract us from things that are important."

On his new film Rock of Ages he says, "It may not solve the inner torment and angst you go through as a human soul but it's certainly a lovely distraction," adding, "There is a baboon in the film, it wasn't in the original script and materialised at the behest of Tom Cruise and as no one has said 'no' to Tom since about 1985 a baboon came."

Talking about working with Helen Mirren in the movie of The Tempest, he says, "She is really beautiful and I had treated her with respect. It was the last day and I had a plane to catch so was dashing out of the building but as I was leaving Helen stopped me to say goodbye. I realised, in my rush to change and get out of the room, that I had my underpants in my hand. She asked what was in my hand and I said 'my pants, do you want them?' A look of horror flickered momentarily across her eyes but she took them. She was so regal."

Asked by Emily Blunt if they were dirty, he says, "They were worn, which some would say elevated them as a garment."

On his trademark long locks, he says, "I wouldn't cut my hair for a part. I would dampen it down but not cut it - what's the point?"

Emily, talking about a recent encounter with Barack Obama says, "I was invited to the White House with my husband John and we were asked if we would like to meet the president. John started sweating with excitement but I was calm and thought 'this isn't such a bit deal' until I met him. He took my hand and my knees went weak and when he said he liked my latest film I laughed hysterically in his face and couldn't stop and a gentle hand ushered me away - I was removed. When we got the picture in the post from the White House I looked demonic and John's pouring with sweat. We can't put it up on the wall."

Warming to the theme of her latest movie - The Five Year Engagement - Emily says, "I think five years is too long - after two you should get another ring or something." Paloma Faith adds, "I'd dump him if it was five years," before gently teasing Russell that his short-lived marriage was like getting a tattoo.

Paloma, revealing her family won't be tuning in for her first chat show appearance, says, "Actually my mum won't be watching and she said, 'You and Russell Brand, you are going to offend a large portion of society together, it's not a good combo and I can't bear to watch for my nerves.'"

Talking about previous jobs she has had, Paloma reveals she once sold Angelina Jolie some knickers and gave the actress some advice, "You're not meant to put expensive underwear in the washing machine so I said, 'Angie babe when you're in the bath stick some soap on the gusset, rub it together and hang them on the side to dry and you'll be sorted.'"

Paloma performs Picking up the Pieces live in the studio.