Russell Brand quits over BBC prank
Updated on 29 October 2008
They are the two biggest stars in British television, but tonight Russell Brand has resigned from his radio programme and Jonathan Ross has been taken off air.
The BBC's director general, Mark Thompson, had suspended the pair from the corporation, describing a broadcast featuring obscene prank calls to the actor Andrew Sachs as a "gross lapse of taste".
The escalation of outrage over the segment on Radio 2 has seen the number of complaints reach 27,000.
Mr Sachs himself says he's not out for revenge, but his granddaughter, Georgina Baillie, who Brand claimed to have slept with, called for the pair to be sacked.
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.
"Apologies are also owed to the loyal listeners of the show who enjoyed its shambolic spirit and anarchy and will be upset that it cannot continue.
"I take complete responsibility and offer nothing but love and contrition and I hope that now Jonathan and the BBC will endure less forensic wrath."
