BBC suspends pair in lewd calls row (From Echo)

BBC suspends pair in lewd calls row

6:40pm Wednesday 29th October 2008

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Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand have been suspended by the BBC over the furore surrounding their lewd calls to Fawlty Towers star Andrew Sachs.

The BBC's director-general Mark Thompson also said he will announce what action is to be taken within "days".

The Corporation, which has received more than 18,000 complaints, has been accused of being too slow to react to the row. It pulled the plug on the recording of Friday Night With Jonathan Ross just hours before it was due to go ahead. The presenters' BBC radio shows are also being taken off the air, to be replaced by other programmes to be confirmed.

The BBC would not say whether or not the high-profile stars are continuing to be paid.

The offensive prank, which is being investigated by Ofcom, was broadcast 11 days ago on Brand's Radio 2 show. In a message left on his voicemail, the pair claimed Brand had slept with Sachs' granddaughter Georgina Baillie, 23. The presenters, in the pre-recorded show which was cleared to air despite Sachs being upset by it, also joked the actor might kill himself.

Ross, 47, Brand, 33, the BBC and Mr Thompson have all apologised. Ross issued a public apology, saying in a statement: "I am deeply sorry and greatly regret the upset and distress that my juvenile and thoughtless remarks on the Russell Brand show have caused."

Russell Brand later resigned from his Radio 2 show. In a statement, Brand said: "I got a bit caught up in the moment and forgot that at the core of the rude comments and silly songs were the real feelings of a beloved and brilliant comic actor and a very sweet and big hearted young woman."

Gordon Brown and David Cameron have joined politicians from across the spectrum in condemning the messages left for the 78 year old.

Mr Thompson said it was "not appropriate for either Russell Brand or Jonathan Ross to continue broadcasting on the BBC until I have seen the full report of the actions of all concerned. "This gross lapse of taste by the performers and the production team has angered licence payers. I am determined that we satisfy them that any lessons will be learnt and appropriate action taken."

Sachs said he was "not surprised" at the suspensions, but confirmed he was not planning to take the matter up with the police. He said the pair had got it "badly wrong" but he was not seeking revenge.

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