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Russell Brand Quits BBC Over Prank Radio Calls

He apologies...

Russell Brand Quits BBC Over Prank Radio Calls
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Comedian Russell Brand has quit the BBC over a series of prank calls he and Jonathan Ross made on his radio show.

Brand said he took “complete responsibility” for the calls, which were aired on October 18th.

He said in a statement: "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.”

Meanwhile, Ross has issued a public apology after he and Brand were suspended earlier today.

Filming of Friday Night With Jonathan Ross, which had been due to take place today, has been cancelled.

On a pre-recorded programme, broadcast on BBC Radio 2, Brand and Ross left messages on actor Andrew Sachs' phone claiming Brand had slept with his granddaughter.

The pair also joked that the actor might kill himself as a result of the comedian's claim.

The BBC apologised for the “unacceptable” nature of the four messages and is currently awaiting the findings of an independent investigation after more than 15,000 people complained.

'Pair should be sacked'

Sachs' granddaughter, Georgina Baillie, led calls for the pair to be dismissed from their jobs.

In an interview with the Sun newspaper, Baillie said she felt “betrayed” by the pair's actions - and said her grandfather was "really upset, and says he wants the whole situation to end".

Yesterday evening Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Brand and Ross, two of the BBC's biggest stars, had acted with "inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour".

Brand initially issued an on air apology about the incident on his show last Saturday, while Ross, the BBC's highest paid broadcaster, said earlier this week he had spoken privately to the Sachs family.

Brand caused controversy last month as host of the MTV Video Music awards in America when he called President George W Bush a “retard”.

Russell Brand at the MTV VMAs

 
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  • The BBC has totally overreacted here!!!! If they're not careful, they will lose their two best assets...

    ~ by Bob 10/29/2008

    Reply to this comment

    • you are an idiot who cares about assets you pervert

      ~ by mac 10/30/2008

  • Both are the unfunniest cunts on TV, good riddance let's hope it's permanent.

    ~ by Water 10/29/2008

    Reply to this comment

  • BBC has not overreacted at all. Brand and Ross have acted like jerks. If they can only be 'funny' by being incredibly offensive then the BBC should re-assess whether it needs them.

    ~ by Mark 10/29/2008

    Reply to this comment

    • Ross and Brand have been like this all their careers - why has it suddenly become an issue?

      ~ by Bob 10/29/2008

    • Like it or not at the moment the BBC needs every edge they can get and ratings wise Ross and Brand were big edges.

      ~ by JonSebire 10/29/2008

    • I agree Jon. They were on fire. The broadcasters two biggest names by a long way and this could cost them bit time.

      ~ by Bob 10/29/2008

  • Hopefully our TV licences will be a bit cheaper without the criminally overpaid Jonathan Ross

    ~ by Manuel 10/29/2008

    Reply to this comment

  • suspended by the BBC no work plenty of time to send all the money the BBC WILL PAY THEM .Time to sack them

    ~ by john 10/29/2008

    Reply to this comment

  • such reactionary bullshit,i bet they didnt even leave a message on sachs' answer machine.Sachs himself said he called his granddaughter when he heard about the story! 18000 sad bastards,the prime minister and all these publicity seeking mp's surely have better things to be getting on with?!

    ~ by muppets! 10/29/2008

    Reply to this comment

  • The producer will take the fall, he was asked by sachs to remove the calls, to which he didn't. Thats the reason that these types of shows aren't live

    ~ by Manuel 10/29/2008

    Reply to this comment

  • Hopefully this means jonathan ross will be back to prime time on channel 4 where he's allowed to do what he wants, the BBC are being ridiculous, there was a joke about 7/7 on have i got news for you the other night and no one battered an eyelid. They're two of the funniest comedians in the UK and it would be the BBC's loss if they were to sack them.

    ~ by Dave 10/29/2008

    Reply to this comment

  • The "humour" these of these talentless cunts revolves around their narcissistic self appreciation and demeaning of others using a type of schadenfreude that is not only the pathetic "wit" used by schoolgirls and council estate slags, in their desparate attempt to ascend the pecking order, but expressly designed to make themselves look better when compared to those that they refer to. In other words, self-love, i.e. a pair of wankers.

    ~ by Max Normal 10/29/2008

    Reply to this comment

  • Foolish, Brand and Ross are the funniest people on TV, teh radio show was a great and the BBC have lost out. I love how the number of complaints have trebbled by the day, I wonder how many of the people who complained actually heard teh show. Oh well, back to the humor of shows like my family and the grass is greener.... A huge loss to the BBC

    ~ by simon 10/29/2008

    Reply to this comment

  • I cannot believe that he has quit. the bbc has completley gone over the top with this. I have heard the messages and I feel that it was jonathon ross who should have quit!

    ~ by Henry 10/29/2008

    Reply to this comment

  • The BBC is going to regret this!!!

    ~ by Bob 10/29/2008

    Reply to this comment

  • brand and ross are shit, but no-one should have to lose/quit their job over this tabloid scandal-mongering

    ~ by chockablock 10/29/2008

    Reply to this comment

  • sack Ross don't suspend and keep paying that huge salary. He needs to be sacked NOW!

    ~ by emma 10/30/2008

    Reply to this comment

  • sack them both I dont know how the sasch family must feel after hearing these disgusting remarks,I know for fact in my area if anyone had made those comments to any family they would have been hospitalized

    ~ by mac 10/30/2008

    Reply to this comment


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