Comedians are just frustrated pop stars. OK, not a profoundly original thought for the day but one that is more pertinent than ever given the news that Russell Brand is rumoured to be releasing a single to tie in with his appearance as an indie singer in his forthcoming film Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

It is not just Brand getting in on the act though. At the finale of Noel Fielding's Royal Albert Hall gig last night The Mighty Boosh star fronted a real band too. I wouldn't be surprised if a Boosh album hits Itunes before the year is out. Though they've already been beaten to it by groovy twosome Flight Of The Conchords, whose EP won a Grammy last year. Their first full-length album is out in the USA later this month.

The link between attention-seeking comedians and pop stars is inevitable. Yet if rock stars have huge egos they are probably miniscule compared to comedians' egos. Most don't even have the manners to wait to have a hit before going solo, they crave the attention so much they start off with the stage all to themselves. Men often get into music and comedy to attract women – the handsome ones form bands, the geeky, nerdy or plain ones go for comedy. Even the most pug-ugly gagsmith becomes a babe magnet if he can make a woman laugh while standing onstage.

Anyway, as for this comedians-as-pop-stars lark, Brand, Fielding and co must surely be aware that they have a great legacy to live up to. And I'm not talking Peter Sellers doing Shakespearean Beatles parodies or The Rutles. Or even Bernard Cribbins' Right Said Fred or Clive Dunn's Grandad. I'm talking about Benny Hill's Ernie (The Fastest Milkmen In The West). If Russell's debut single flops, maybe he should try a cover version of that. Let's face it. Chasing women? Being filthily funny? Russell Brand is already a Benny Hill for the noughties.