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Russell Brand is to share a stage with Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.
The controversial star will act as master of ceremonies when the 76-year-old addresses thousands of young people in Manchester next week.
Funnyman turned movie star Russell has been a vocal supporter of the Tibetan cause, often peppering his old Radio 2 show with cries of "free Tibet".
The Dalai Lama, who established the Tibetan Government in Exile in northern India's Dharamsala, is delivering a talk, which is free to the under 25s, at the MEN Arena on June 16. He will call for young people to push for peace during the address.
The leader's representative for northern Europe, Thubten Samdup, said: "We are delighted to have Russell Brand as master of ceremonies for this once-in-a-lifetime event. Russell has demonstrated the power of spirituality to effect change in his own life.
"His holiness the Dalai Lama believes that it is essential to inspire ordinary citizens - especially young people - to find meaning and purpose in their lives."
Sky Atlantic announced this week that it would be screening Brand's first series on British TV since the Sachsgate scandal, the US-made Brand X.
