The Technodrome Forums - The BBC Radio 2 Scandal

Quote:

BBC presenter Jonathan Ross has been suspended without pay for 12 weeks in the wake of his prank phone call with Russell Brand

Have your say: Russell Brand

It followed an obscene message left by the pair on the answerphone of Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs, 78, suggesting Brand had slept with the actor's granddaughter.

The messages were then broadcast and so far more than 25,000 people have complained.

Ross is rumoured to earn around £6 million a year and the pay suspension means he could be about £1.5 million out of pocket.

The stunt earlier claimed the scalp of BBC Radio 2 Controller Lesley Douglas who resigned over the incident. Brand had already quit his Radio 2 show.

BBC director general Mark Thompson said Ross's contribution to Brand's show "was utterly unacceptable and cannot be allowed to go uncensured or without sanction".

Ms Douglas, one of the Corporation's most senior managers, offered her "personal apology to Mr Sachs and his family and to the audience for what has happened".

In her resignation letter, Ms Douglas said: "The last week has been a painful one for the BBC and particularly for BBC Radio 2. It is with enormous regret that I have decided to resign as Controller of BBC Radio 2, BBC 6 Music and of Popular Music. This is my decision alone."

She continued: "Over the 23 years of my career at the BBC I have enjoyed a deep love and respect for both the audience and the BBC. The events of the last two weeks happened on my watch. I believe it is right that I take responsibility for what has happened.

"It is a matter of the greatest possible sadness to me that a programme on my network has been the cause of such a controversy. I would like to take this opportunity to offer my personal apology to Andrew Sachs and his family and to the audience for what has happened."

In a statement, Brand said he took "complete responsibility" for the incident which he blamed on getting "caught up in the moment". Filming for this week's Friday Night With Jonathan Ross show was cancelled hours before it was due to be recorded.

Ross has apologised to Sachs personally and issued a public apology for his, "juvenile and thoughtless" remarks.

Brand had presented his Radio 2 show since November 2006 and was thought to be paid more than £200,000 a year by the BBC.

Oasis star Noel Gallagher, who was a regular guest on Brand's radio show, said he was "outraged" at the furore and said at worst it was a "juvenile prank".

He said: "It's so typical of the English in general. Ten thousand people get outraged, but only days after it has happened. At worst it was a juvenile prank that wasn't unfunny but it's hardly offensive.

"I feel bad for Russ because he really loved doing the show. I loved being on it as well."

And here's just PART ONE of the madness that ensued on that live session.