BBC apologises for Brand's antics
Updated on 27 October 2008
The BBC backtracks and apologises to actor Andrew Sachs for the offensive behaviour of Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross.
The BBC has said sorry to the Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs over the behaviour of Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross on a Radio 2 show.
The pair left a series of messages on the actor's phone around the supposedly funny theme of Brand claiming to have had a sexual relationship with his granddaughter.
The pair were heard joking and singing a song about the granddaughter after the programme, which was broadcast last Saturday, had been pre-recorded and cleared by BBC lawyers and producers.
Amid outrage in the press, Andrew Sachs, who played Manuel in the comedy series Fawlty Towers, has said he was upset by what happened.
The BBC has confirmed to Channel Four News it has received 546 complaints and released a statement saying: "We have received a letter of complaint from Mr Sachs' agent and would like to sincerely apologise to Mr Sachs for the offence caused.
"We recognise that some of the content broadcast was unacceptable and offensive. We are reviewing how this came about and are responding to Mr Sachs personally. We also apologise to listeners for any offence caused."
The broadcasting regulator Ofcom has also said it will investigate any complaints as the broadcasting code has specific guidelines relating to 'harm and offence' and privacy.
