Russell Brand lived with a squad of American marines to toughen up

Russell Brand lived with a squad of American marines because he wanted to toughen up.

The comedian – who recently took up kick-boxing in an attempt to get fit for his wedding to singer Katy Perry – has revealed he bunkered down with a group of tough military men for a weekend but struggled to keep up with them.

Speaking to US TV talk show host David Letterman, he said: "I love the marines. I respect them and can't believe what heroic deeds they do and the way they live. I went to live with them for 48 hours to see what it would be like.

"I wish I could say I did rather well. But it was compromising. I slept in a dorm with 70 of them. I know this because just before bed each has to shout out their name, or number... Then they woke me up at 3.30 in the morning to go on a 10km hike, with 70lbs of luggage in a big backpack. A lot of the stuff in it, you didn't even need! Three sleeping bags - there's only one of me."

The British funnyman's fiance has also been preparing for the big day, by cutting back on her favourite foods.

Katy recently spoke about how she has had to stop indulging in many of the waist-expanding delicacies she loves, which include Chinese food and pizza, because she puts on weight.

Listing many of her favorite calorific treats, she said: "My fave things include barbeque chicken chop at CPK Chinese, chicken salad at Chinchins, Rock shrimp and yellow tail sashimi at Nobu, Crispy beef at Mr.Chow's, four curry chicken salad at Urth Cafe, my beloved double double at In-N-Out Burger. All so good but so bad!"