Russell Brand Quits BBC Over Prank Radio Calls

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”.