Russell Brand was obsessed with Googling himself.

The 'Get Him to The Greek' actor - who admits he has an addictive personality and has previously beaten heroin addiction - said he eventually gave up typing his name into the internet, as he only saw negative things written about himself.

He said: "It's the most unrewarding, pointless activity, Googling yourself. I'm doing a lot better.

"It's like picking a scab. I have gone a few weeks without looking at it and it divorces you from the slurry of casual vindictiveness."

He also admitted he toned down his performance as host of this year's MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), after his appearance last year - during which he referred to then-US president George W. Bush as a "retarded cowboy fella" - caused such an uproar.

Russell, 34, added: "Last year at the VMAs there were death threats, so obviously this year it was deliberately designed not to cause anyone any bother, but be funny and confident. There was a very deliberate removal of self-destruction. I didn't take the risks I've taken in the past."