Brand quits – Ross suspended
Russell Brand has quit his Radio 2 talk show following the fiasco over prank calls made by him and Jonathon Ross to Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs.
Mr Ross has been suspended from the BBC while the corporation investigates the affair.
Director general Mark Thomas said it would be inappropriate for the two stars to perform while the internal investigation is being conducted.
“This gross lapse of taste by the performers and the production team has angered licence payers,” he said in a statement.
“I am determined that we satisfy them that any lessons will be learnt and appropriate action taken.”
That puts Jonathan Ross’ prime time Friday night talk show and Film 2008 on hold for the time being.
The presenters and the BBC were forced to apologise to Mr Sachs after Brand and Ross joked about having sex with Sachs’ granddaughter during a pre-recorded show, broadcast on October 18th.
Sachs, 78, was said to be “very upset” by voicemails left by the pair, during Brand’s Saturday evening programme on BBC Radio 2.
Media watchdog Ofcom has announced it will launch an investigation into the incident, pledging it will “protect audiences and citizens from harm” by enforcing its broadcasting code.
