Hollywood pressure driving Russell Brand to the barber

Russell Brand said he will cut his shaggy mane for the sake of his Hollywood career.

The actor, 34, denied he was ordered to visit the barber to play the lead in a remake of Dudley Moore's Arthur, but recognised his "scruffy" locks might restrict future roles.

He said: "I can't keep always playing long-haired, scruffy men, otherwise my career would be limited."

The Essex-born funny man played the pony-tailed spiv Flash Harry in St Trinian's and outrageous rocker Aldous Snow in the Hollywood romantic comedy Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

But a sensible short-back-and-sides might be on the cards if Brand wants to fulfil his ultimate ambition - to play France's post-revolutionary military dictator Napoleon Bonaparte.

He said: "I was hoping one day to play Napoleon, but I can't play Napoleon as this shaggy-haired, bearded raconteur."

He joked: "But I did also want to play Rasputin, so that'll be good, I can look like this."

The actor's film career is burgeoning, including the remake of the debauched playboy comedy Arthur which begins filming next year.

Brand will also reprise the role of Aldous Snow for spin-off film Get Him To The Greek and is tipped to star alongside Dame Helen Mirren as jester Trinculo in an upcoming adaptation of The Tempest.