Coronavirus: Russell Brand cancels sold-out show in Australia

Russell Brand is due in New Zealand for a tour starting on Saturday. Photo / Supplied

UK comic Russell Brand has cancelled a sold-out Australian show over coronavirus contamination fears.

The announcement came after a woman who attended Perth Concert Hall over the weekend tested positive to the illness – marking the fifth case of the virus in Western Australia.

Brand was due to perform at the same venue last night.

Tweeting the news, Brand said: "We have to SADLY CANCEL TONIGHT'S SHOW IN #PERTH because there has been a CONFIRMED CASE OF CORONAVIRUS in someone who attended a recent show and I am not happy with risk for me or for any of you.

"My apologies, I hope I see you soon."

But one user implied it was a drastic move.

We have to SADLY CANCEL TONIGHT'S SHOW IN #PERTH because there has been a CONFIRMED CASE OF CORONAVIRUS in someone who attended a recent show and I am not happy with risk for me or for any of you. My apologies, I hope I see you soon.

— Russell Brand (@rustyrockets) March 9, 2020

"That's BS," they wrote. "There is zero evidence that COVID is loose in Perth as yet – unfounded panic is far more harmful than the disease."

Brand is expected to peform in Adelaide tomorrow and is due in New Zealand for a run of four shows in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch starting on Saturday.