AN ENDORSEMENT from Russell Brand would be a “significant” coup for Ed Miliband, an elections expert said yesterday after the Labour leader was snapped leaving the comedian’s house.

Labour said Mr Miliband had been interviewed on Monday night by the comic for his “Trews” YouTube channel — which has attracted hundreds of thousands of viewers online.

Mr Brand has lent his support to grassroots anti-gentrification campaigners and called for a popular revolution. But he has been criticised for sexist behaviour and for encouraging citizens to boycott voting in protest at the detachment of the political class.

Questioned on his visit, Mr Miliband said: “I decided that some people were saying the campaign was too boring so I thought it would make it more interesting.

“The danger is that politics is being played in an increasingly empty stadium.

“If we don’t recognise that, if we don’t engage in different ways with the people who aren’t engaging in this election, then we will have fewer and fewer people voting.”

Tory Prime Minister David Cameron said: “Russell Brand’s a joke. Ed Miliband, to hang out with Russell Brand, he’s a joke.”

But asked by the Star if Mr Brand’s interventions into politics could impact on the outcome of the general election, elections researcher Lewis Baston said the visit demonstrated Miliband’s “openness” in listening to those considering not voting.

“As the best-known advocate of non-voting, if Ed persuaded him to change his mind that would be significant,” he said.