Radio Times

Update: 5:46pm Wednesday 29 October

Russell Brand has resigned from his Radio 2 show.

Update: 11:30am Wednesday 29 October

Mark Thompson, director-general of the BBC, has announced the suspension of Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross. As of this morning, all their shows will be taken off the air.

In a statement, Thompson said: "I have decided that it is not appropriate for either Russell Brand or Jonathan Ross to continue broadcasting on the BBC until I have seen the full report of the actions of all concerned."

"This gross lapse of taste by the performers and the production team has angered licence payers. I am determined that we satisfy them that any lessons will be learnt and appropriate action taken."

The BBC has so far received over 18,000 complaints about the phone calls.

**

It's garnered countless headlines in recent days but the story of Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand's obscene phone messages to Andrew Sachs continues to run.

Ofcom has received 10,000 complaints and counting about the messages, which were left on the 78-year-old Fawlty Towers star's phone and broadcast on Brand's Radio 2 show on 18 October. They included lewd references to Sachs's granddaughter, 23-year-old Georgina Baillie.

Sachs has since received an on-air apology from Brand and a letter from Ross, while the BBC has issued an official statement describing the broadcast as "unacceptable and offensive".

But with the complaints still rolling in and the BBC Trust awaiting a review of the incident, we want to know what you think of the whole furore. Were the phone calls acceptable in their context, or did Ross and Brand go too far? Should the Radio 2 presenters be disciplined? Or has the whole thing been blown out of proportion?

Post a comment below telling us what you think.

Who is Russell Brand? I'd never heard of him until this dreadful business came to my notice. And I always get Jonathan Ross muddled up with Simon Dee. Are they in the popular music business together? I expect that is at the heart of the problem. I was not surprised to see that they both have long hair.

As a young woman of 22 I am personally offended that so many British people were apparently offended by the Brand and Ross phone call "scandal". Reading some of the complaint letters I couldn't help wondering whether the magnitude of offence would have been the same had a female comedian phoned a father about sleeping with his son. It just goes to show that in a society that supposedly promotes gender equality and democracy, many people still carry the age-old view that female sexuality is something to be considered debasing and humiliating, whereas for a man it is accepted without question.

I wish people would just get over it!! I mean for god's sake, his grandaughter is hardly innocent in all of this!! It was a joke and the BBC should take responsibility for broadcasting it! Only like 2 people who listened to it complained...but as soon as it was in the paper, thousands decided to jump on the bandwagon! It's ridiculous and it's hardly the end of the world. I am neither particularly keen on russ or ross but I believe that many people are now going to have to miss out on on their shows thanks to people without a mind of their own! Of all the news in the world, this made front page for 3 days...unbelievable when there are people being shot, stabbed and tortured!!!! This is old news so what's all the fuss??

Brand = talentless oxygen thief - never should have been on the wireless in the first place. Ross is just socially inept and over indulged, a 3 month spanking might teach him a lesson.

I think it has been blown out of proportion, but for all those out there who say what they did was a funny... imagine getting a call been broadcast to the nation about how the caller has slapt with your daughter. Nuff said?

As said before, these two have over stepped the mark but they are paid these "ridiculous" amounts to tread the very thin line of comic taste.

They are only human - we all make mistakes. I personally do not find Russel Brand funny but i know that many do however, so i am not using this incident as an excuse to rid the BBC of presenters i dont like (as its been suggested some people are).

The most telling fact of all is the number of people who complained when it was originally aired, just 2 people a previous post here says. TWO, that is nothing compared to the thousands since the media decided to report on this. Im sorry to say that people seem to be dictated by the media. The people that listen to RB's show do so for a reason - to hear this kind of "comedy". I very much doubt that any large proportion of the people who complained listened to the original broadcast.

Finally, as has been said, it was a pre-recorded show. It is not RB and JR's job to decide what material is suitable to be aired.

I think a public apology (and one in-person to Sachs) is all that is needed from JR and RB. This has happened and Sachs has accepted (so i read from other posts), so i feel the inceident should be forgotten by listeners/viewers of RB and JR shows. The incident should be cleared up by an enquiry into the internal workings that allowed the material to air.

As an after thought - from the range of messages on this board i dont think age has anything to do with people's views on this topic. So i will leave my age.

It is not only the young who enjoy Russell. I am a 63 year old. I have followed him from 6 Music and never missed a Saturday programme. This would not have happened if Matt Morgan had been there. Everyone knows that Russ is a loose cannon and the only person who deserves the sack is the twit who sanctioned the transmission. My Saturday nights will not be the same as the TV is so dire with only a repeat of yesterday's Have I Got News for You to watch again.

This is unreal why are people still going on about it? BBC are to blame as much as anyone else, but come there are more mportant things to worry about people being murdered, our troops at war, homeless, drugs the list is endless everyone takes things too far which these men admitted to and apologised GET OVER IT!

Following hot on the heels of the recent furore over the childish, ill conceived Radio prank by two highly talented and entertaining individuals - Jonathon Ross and Russell Brand - Like the many complainers whipped up into a frenzy by the Daily Mail, I also am incensed at the waste of BBC license payers money.

It seems that the BBC do not confine their lack of editorial control to just the radio - Oh no - BBC1 television present us with an equally childish and ill conceived programme featuring further talented actors who have unfortunately been allowed to follow an appalling script masquerading as a comedy entitled "After You've Gone"!

I do not seek to defend Russell and Jonathon's behaviour (and incidentally nor do they), but pray tell me how this scarily banal alternative is allowed to go on air unchallenged!

Hey all you apologists for Brand & co, give me your number and I'll leave a similar message about your Daughter, Wife, or Mother?, ave a word with yourself! , will you still be laughing?

I am a big fan of both Russell Brand & Jonathan Ross. However I do think they went too far. it was cringingly unfunny BUT I feel the blame lies with the person who thought it a good idea to put it out. I'm hugely disappointed that Russell has resigned & a little disappointed that Jonathan will be off air for 3 months but at least he'll be back. Russell Brand will be lost to America now & will be missed on his weekly show by many.

I think the whole issue has been blown up in a ridiculously. I am 48 & not a young girl by the way.

Well at least 4 Poofs and a Piano will be available for pantomine now!

I think Ross should have done the right thing and resign but I just when you have that bigger ego it doesn't cross your mind that you've done anything wrong. He is paid far too much money and just think what good programmes the BBC could make with that amount of money. If he won't resign than maybe the BBC should do it for him

This is probably the most pathetic load of baloney I have ever heard of. Nothing they did was any more shocking than anything that's been done before. Interesting how Sachs forgets his own racist interpretation of the Spanish in Fawlty Towers, which was widely considered as funny... Should he have been sacked because the Spanish waiters of this world did not agree? With the country in economic decline, people need to get a life and start concerning themselves with the things that REALLY matter. Notably the granddaughter concerned couldn't wait to sell her story of sleeping with Brand to The Sun...hope the few grand she received for that helped to assuage her "misery".

Losing russell and david tennant is pretty awful in the space of 24 hours but at least there is ponderland, which i thought was amazing last night.

After such insulting treatment I can only hope that Mark Thompson, the BBC's Director-General, will be offering to pay Andrew Sach's licence fee over the coming years. Otherwise, what a sick feeling Andrew Sachs will have, when he next has to renew his licence fee!

I think Ross got a bit carried away with the whole prank, led but the uncontrollable Brand... the whole thing is quite clearly not funny, especially them doing it to Sachs who is an absolute legend! I would be happy never seeing Brand grace our screens again, but I think it would be a shame if Ross was fired as a result of all this... the guys alright, he just made a bit of a boob!

I think they just got a bit carried away. I think if it was deemed so serious the senior management of the radio station could have stepped in immediately and halted the goings on. However, they were left to continue. I also think they misjudged the impact this would have on a gentleman of Sachs' age. I do, however, think that the media hype surrounding this has generated so many complaints... and, I am curious to know if those that complained were actually listening to the show.

I love both these guys and I hope that the damage to them personally will be limited, no matter how many newspapers this will sell and the low levels journalists will stoop to.

Regardless of all the furore, people will still love these guys and they continue to remain hilariously funny. I think, actually, the media hype and intrusion to Andrew Sachs will do much more harm than the initial joking these two made. It's now up to the journalists to think about damage limitation...

I think they just got a bit carried away. I think if it was deemed so serious the senior management of the radio station could have stepped in immediately and halted the goings on. However, they were left to continue. I also think they misjudged the impact this would have on a gentleman of Sachs' age. I do, however, think that the media hype surrounding this has generated so many complaints... and, I am curious to know if those that complained were actually listening to the show.

I love both these guys and I hope that the damage to them personally will be limited, no matter how many newspapers this will sell and the low levels journalists will stoop to.

Regardless of all the furore, people will still love these guys and they continue to remain hilariously funny. I think, actually, the media hype and intrusion to Andrew Sachs will do much more harm than the initial joking these two made. It's now up to the journalists to think about damage limitation...

Blown out of proportion by the media, the ones who criticize don't know what they're talking about, haven't listened to the show, don't know the context, or what these 'lads' are like. If you don't like something or someone, you aren't forced to watch them. It's just ruined everyone else's viewing and listening pleasure.

So 2mill or so of us who get a lot of joy out of ol' Russ' show now don't anymore, because he made a mistake and the joyless, soulless, spoil it for others idiots who have reacted to an overblown tabloid story get their own way. Again. When are the rest of us going to stand up to them. Shouldn't there be a petition showing support for Russ? If you've never made a mistake in your life, then you have every right to be sanctimonious. For the rest, shame on you and your narrow minded brand of idiocy. I guess we really may be Broken Britain if these people can win. Lets start the revolution!

"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone..." We have all made a gaff sometime, and sometimes we regret them deeply, but sacking either Ross or Brand for being irreverent, and pushing the boundaries strikes me as pure hypocrisy. Both are (or were) employed in a role where they frequently say what many people think and few dare say, and sometimes it smacks of lewdness. Yes, perhaps they do owe Andrew Sachs and his family an apology, which should be as public as anything they said to offend. And maybe they should eat humble pie, hold up their hand and say sorry to everyone for - yes, an error of judgement. But sacking seems like feeding ordinary mortals to the lions. They may be well paid and in the public eye, but they are only human, after all. And humanity is something we should value at least as much as the opportunity to be outraged. Let us all learn from their example.

As a 51 year old who listened to the show when it was broadcast I thought it was very very funny. I did think that Andrew Sachs was in on the joke at the time but I was obviously proved wrong.

If it was up to me Russell Brand would be compulsory on every BBC1 show as they are all so bland and boring now I never watch.

If anyone at the BBC knew what they were doing they'd make him the new Doctor Who. His acting couldn't be any worse than the current one.And Andrew Sachs could be his companion. Or RB could play both the Doctor AND his companion.

'What Not To Wear' with Russell and Jo Brand. What could be more perfect?

'Countryfile' with Russell Brand and Alan Carr.

If someone needs suspending it's Graham Well Past His Sellby Date Norton.

Well, they didn't quite have the nerve, did they. Ross only suspended for 12 weeks. Clearly Ross is far too important to the BBC and if he didn't know it before, he sure does now.

I think they didnt do anything wrong, it was a prerecorded event that should have been vetted by a production manager fire him if you need to fire someone he put it out there. I bet that type of stuff get recorded lots of times and never aired.

is there any chance that when hopefully they have both left the bbc that they could take terry wogan with them? dinosaurs have had their day!

take them both off the air for good. they both wallow in their own self rightousness thinking they can do and say just what they want with no regard for others. ross's regular comments about licence payers paying his wages and general condesending attitude have deservedly backfired now he will not be paid for the next 12 weeks.time to return to earth for the pair of them

They have apologized, the BBC has apologized. That should be the end of it. It's not great stuff but there are more important things to worry about - can we all now move on please.

Really like Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross. They had an error of judgement, but let's face it, it wasn't as if they killed somebody!

Let's all get on with worrying about the real problems in life and keep these guys giving us some life heartened moments to help life the gloom.

How can there be so much outrage about this? Is there any genuine outcry and complaint that hasn't come from the media?

In any other job this short of juvenile, ill thought through prank would've ended in simple dismissal. However, Ross and Brand are employed explicitly for this kind of 'hilarious' caper. OK no one is arguing that this was in poor taste, but pushing the envelope and sailing close to the wind is exactly the things these guys are at the BBC to do, mixing metaphors and causing amusement and offence in equal measure. They apologised to Andrew Sachs and his daughter, who is now cashing in on her 5 minutes of fame with the Sun.

Let it go, it was nothing, is boring, should be over.

i dont think ross should be fired because i was ill very late on saturday night-sunday morning and the repeat of his show that was on quite late and i watched it. It not only made me feel better but it most importantly cheered me up. I think people are wrong to say he should be sacked or question his salary because he works hard he has to research the stars who are coming on his show he has to record this and he also has to do film 2008 which involves him having to go out to a cinema whatch this film then write a review of it so i say good on him so i think he deserves 16,000 a day. I definatley know the bbc wont fire him because he will be picked up by channel 4 and the audience he brings the bbc wont want to lose but this doesnt in the slightest give him the write to offend people but i think that russel brand did most of the work and johnathan went along with it i think he was sufering from peer pressure which we have all had it was one mistake he apoligised Sachs accepted leave him alone media there should be an investigation because well lets face it it was offensive but nobody complain when it was aired so if they really wanted to say how bad it was they should of done it then i think 99% of people who complained didnt listen to the original broadcast. I think the bbc is wrong to deciplin ross it should be them because they asked Sachs if they could broadcast the program he said they couldnt but they went ahead shame on the bbc.

There is an obvious generation gap in the reactions but this fifty year old thinks that there is no excuse for such bad taste and disrespect. Fire them from their obsenely-paid jobs and move on.

Yes, they overstepped the mark - on a pre-recorded show. Who made the decision to allow that part of the broadcast to go out?

Only two people who heard the show actually complained, yet after the Daily Mail's story (a week after the broadcast) 30,000 people suddenly become outraged.

I'd much rather watch and listen to Ross and Brand than watch another Dickens/Austen/Bronte adaptation, but I wouldn't dream of suggesting that they should all be scrapped because they don't happen to entertain me.

These guys are paid a fortunte because of their sense of humour (love it or hate it). They may have overstepped the mark on this occasion but the people ultimately responsible are the production team who allowed the programme to be aired, what were they thinking. I think the matter has blown out of all proportion. For the government to become involved is a joke, surely they must have more important things to do than comment on an actors hurt feelings. I strongly object to the comments made by A Sachs family saying that he is distraught. I'm sure that parents who have missing children or people who have suffered physical or mental abuse can only know the meaning of this word and I'm sure they're all comforted to know that our governmnet is giving the matter their attention !!!!!

At the end of the day there actually more important issues than two comedian broadcaster types doing something a little bit silly......and if you don't want to be offended...then don't watch or listen to them....quite simple really.

I think the loss of David Tennant is more important than this....i'm bored of this now.

These been so much talk about how this is a generational thing, that Brand and Ross are just being 'Modern' - that doesn't wash: The notion that Brand's sexual relationship with Sachs's granddaughter was some kind of conquest that he could brag about and taunt her elderly relative about is just old-fashioned sexism of the kind that Ross's 'alternative comedy' contemporaries professed to despise. Brand has just been a bully & a boor and Ross is clearly hanging around with the young turks hoping to cling onto his rapidly-evaporating youth. They would deserve our pity if they weren't both so overpaid, over rated and just plain over.

I do hope that the BBC will learn by this affair and spend our millions on producing quality programmes instead of encouraging grubby little people to air the unpleasant products of their small minds.

This whole thing has been totally blown out of all proportion, the press yet again have whipped people in a frenzy and will continue to do so until they get what they want.

Leave the guys alone now, they've apologised is that not enough or do we want blood?

I'm not a massive fan of either off them but, come on shouldn't the media be more worried about the war in Iraq or Afghanistan or the economic crisis the UK

I ask this question, how would the 'family senstive' Jonathan Ross like someone saying he had ****** his precious daughter.

Who does Mark Thompson think he is saying that we wouldn't interrupt his holiday to return and deal with the fast developing farce, I

thought he was brough in to clean house?

There are obviously a lot of people out there who simply don't like JR and/or RB. It seems to me that this regrettable mistake by the pair of them has simply opened the floodgates of pent-up animosity and frustration, mostly centred around the salaries of the pair of them. The Daily Mail et al whip this sizable section of the population into comletelely disproportionate frenzy and the BBC chases its tail trying to keep a lid on it.

As far as I am aware, both JR and RB attract large audience figures on TV and radio, and I believe there is a relatively quiet but not quite as angry section of the population who believe that this mistake should not result in either of them being removed from the BBC.

The removal of Jonathan from our screens is long overdue. His Friday night programme is crude, leud and the conversation very petty. I only watched when there was an interesting, intelligent, distinguished guest, but this was ruined by Ross asking stupid questions that were an insult to both the guest and the viewers. Sorry, but good ridance.

When were all of these complaints received????? It seems they were after the media made it headline news.....not when the show was actually broadcast. All these complainers are just seizing their chance to moan about something. Get off the bandwagon and leave Ross and Brand alone. You know the kind of humour you're going to get with them......whether you're a guest or a listener. Don't get involved if it offends and leave the rest of us that do enjoy their humour to carry on enjoying it.

I listened to the show before all this media storm. I thought it was funny. All they did was basically a kiss and tell, something the papers do everyday, and leave a message on someone's answerphone. If you want them to face criminal charges and lose their jobs then you must also hunt down every jounalist who has been involved in a kiss and tell story and exact the same thing upon them. The people who claim they are 'offended' are either on a witch-hunt or have been manipulated by the tabloids. I'm offended by gore movies and so I don't watch them, but I don't campaign for them not be made. Each to their own. I'm an educated, professional woman, and I like a range of types of types of entertainment. I don't tell people not to watch X-Factor just because I think it's morally questionable look at all the public humiliation that goes on in those shows - now that's cruelty.

Anyway, I look forward to Brand's new series of Ponderland. Hopefully, the tabloids and their hypocrit readers won't find a way of spoiling that too.

i think that what those 2 said was inapropriate but i dont think that they should be sacked!!! so what if they offended some old guy off the telly... to be honest, if it is anybodies fault that he (or anyone else) is offended it is the guy who let the damn show be broadcast!!!

you cant really blame ross and brand, they were just trying to get laughs - its their job!!! if you got a prob with them or what they say... dont flipping watch them!!!

to be honest i dont particularly lyk ross (brand rocks my socks - LOL) but to be honest if either of them werent any good as a tv personality then how did they get so famous to be on a show where they can say things like they did??!?

if you gotta prob then keep it to yourself coz, unless you had any part in this "prank", then it dont concern you!!!

i understand that the bbc are suspending them, and i agree that what they said was wrong, but the producer of the show should be sacked for letting a RECORDED show like that be shown!!! dont go blaming brand and ross, they just said it, the producer and the media made it public!!!

so what if those 2 have been crude, loads of people are crude, but you dont see every bit of it getting into the media!!!

to be honest, lighten up and get a life!! you only live once, so why not have a laugh with it while you still can!! no one has died from "spoken word"!! what ever happened to the phrase "sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me"??

People have recently become so over protective and over stressed about television these day, just be flipping lucky that you have got a telly to complain about!!!

i dont care what anyone says, Ross and Brand were in the wrong but they have apologised, so why cant it just be over with that??!? Brand and Ross are 2 of the funniest people on telly and should be commended for their efforts, not critercised for their still of comedy!!! stick to your own opinion and just GET OVER IT!!!

Narrow minded bigots all, including the BBC. Brand is a genius and you are fools to let him go so easily.

In my opinion Ross & Brand behaved despicably. Ross is nothing more than an overpaid idiot & should be sacked immediatly. As I licence payer the BBC should listen to us for a change. I ALWAYS turn off when Ross is on either the radio or television. His sense of humour is smutty & uncouth &in my opinion he is not worth £18 a year let alone 18million of don't forget OUR money. It's a shame that some of this money isn't put towards making great comedies like Fawlty Towers or the Vicar of Dibly instead of being wasted on this idiot.

Both men behaved very stupidly and thoughtlessly. The whole issue has been blown out of all proportion but I think that they ought to be sacked. They need to realise that people in the public eye have a responsibility to behave in sensible way.

Ross and Brand were out of line but c'mon blown waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay out of proportion by ridiculous Daily Mail readers who obviously took a day off from being outraged by asylum seekers, how many people who posted here actually felt outraged enough to put pen to paper or to complain!!!! The show went out on 18.10.08, yet it took 10 days for people to decide just how outraged they were!Check out itunes and see how popular Brand's show (albeit the podcast version) is.....

p.s. does 12 hours of being batted on the head with a spoon in the 1970's really equal national treasure

Ross is a dirty old man, Brand is a dirty young man. Why are we forced to pay for them to have their thrills?

because of some people's hysteria, radio 2 has now lost a fantastic entertaining presenter. with everthing that is happening in the world, this is what we choose to have on our front pages. the newspapers must be very proud of themselves. but isn't this typical of the british press - build someone up only for the glee in tearing them down again.

They both thought they were untouchable, too valuable and 'special' to have anyone reign them in. However, I do think the way the world and his wife have jumped on the band wagon to complain is madness. Perhaps we should all get this up tight when the banks leave our pensions and savings in shreds and when the government insists on taking more and more of our rights away. More people voted for Big Brother and Strictly Come Dancing than voted in the general election. What strange priorities we have,

The issue is more than just a couple of comedians running amok down a mic. There are three main reasons why it matters :

Firstly it was a public broadcast funded by license payers which could be heard around the world Secondly Ross at least is very much a BBC front man and paid a huge salary - as such he has a responsbility to act in a way which does not let everyone down.

Thirdly, the cost to the BBC's reputation is potentially huge - the fact that the tape was not intercepted by producers shows that the normal internal mechanisms were not functioning - either through lack of interest or lack of man hours resulting from recent staff cuts.

The fact that Ross is paid more than a whole BBC department pa should mean that he can be relied upon to promote the best face of the BBC - not behave in a way which which is far far below the acceptability level that even the dregs of the White City drains would be floating high above it.

Basically it's about getting a grip before it all goes even more horribly wrong!

Seems to me that the it is the producers fault for airing it in the first place. Yes, RB and JR went a bit far with the whole thing, but the responsibility must lie with the producer who made the decision for it to be broadcast. It's a shame RB has felt he must resign after all this.

Its all a bit much isnt it? yeah it was a horrible thing to do especially to an elderly man but they've said sorry and its prtty clear that they won't do it again.

This has been completely blown out of proportion. Yes they were wrong but we all make mistakes and Sach has accepted thier apologies. Perhaps a lesson can be learned. I'm sure the people who have been offended by this would also be offended by many other shows that are broadcast - are they just jumping on the media bandwagon? If they end up being sacked then there are a lot of other comedians out there who will be treading a tight rope!

ross has been pushing it for ages its just a shame that russel brand has fallen on his sword to help his co presenters plight

For goodness sake, I can't believe people are getting their knickers in a twist about this. As has been pointed out there were very few complaints at time of broadcast and the grandaughter herself is a member of the Satanic Sluts and a burlesque performer. Not exactly unused to sexual comments and innuendo I imagine. The Daily Mail readers who are demamding resignations probably didn't even hear the broadcast. What it all boils down to is if you don't want to listen to Russell Brand or Jonathon Ross - don't. Simple really. I can't stand Loose Women so guess what? I just don't watch...

I thought in UK Law offensive phone calls were illegal? Hopefully the police will be investigating. Otherwise high profile permission is being given to everyone to make such calls.

To be honest, I think it's been blown out of all proportion. Yes it's childish and tasteless, but also quite harmless. Graham Norton has been doing prank telephone calls to people on his show for many years, yet nobody seemed to complain about him doing it. I don't think this is really any different.

In any other job/walk of life you would be sacked for this kind of behaviour. Just because they are celebs doesnt mean they are above the law. I pay my licence fee like millions of other hard working people and i think both should get the boot.

Anybody who has received prank calls, knows that they can sometimes offend and shock when they dont see the joke. But do all the people who are making complaints think that Andrew Sachs and his grandaughter have been offended know that she is also known as Voluptua of the Satanic Sluts? Did this cause her grandfather to be upset? The gaudy pictures of 'Georgina Baillee' puts Ross and Brands 'humour' into context. The fact that Andrew Sachs was asked permission before the offending show was broadcast does reveal that we are not being told the full story. The backlash against hypocritical politicians and other opportunists will not be long when the full story is out.

The prank call was out of order, has been apologised for and Andrew Sachs accepts this. Please shake your heads and get a grip. Some of the comments made towards Brand and Ross are so disproportionate they would be laughable if they weren't so tragic.

fonejacker does this every week why should these 2 be punished not that abnoxious idiot

This has been blown out of all proportion. Whilst the remarks may have been offensive to a very small number of people, I doubt very much that most of the thousands of complaints were made by people who actually heard the show.

So why all the complaints? The Sun spent about 8 pages on it today according to their front cover. Why? Who owns the Sun? What else does he own? That's right. The coverage has little or nothing to do with public opinion, and everything to do with viewing figures.

Of course the other issue, again something which has nothing whatsoever to do with the comments made by the two presenters, is that of Ross & Brand's salaries. The BBC don't pay more than other broadcasters would-but due to the 'unique way they are funded', people expect the BBC to be able to secure the services of popular celebrities for pennies.

Anyone who was offended, and who was actually listening to the show, should perhaps choose to listen to something more suited to their tastes in future. Suspending Ross & Brand was a cowardly response; the BBC should be ashamed.

The fault lies 1000 per cent with those who went through the pre-recorded tapes and allowed the piece in question to go through. The public expect non-stop, high-octane, very close to below the belt material from Brand and Ross. To constantly reach those expectations LIVE ON AIR would be too much to expect. The spontaneity required for that involves too many risks. Hence the recording of the programme in question.

But those who then "vetted" it and approved it should never be allowed near a radio or TV station again. Meanwhile - I hope that Brand and Ross soon get to continue their fantastic work - with or without the BBC.

It is a very sad state of affairs that, in order to obtain "laughs", this inadequate pair have to make cheap and unstubstantiated innuendos. For a long time, Jonathan Ross has had to rely on tawdry jokes to maintain his "celebrity status". Friday night becomes more and more distasteful. The cheapness of remarks spiralling downward with every week. Very sad, as JR is a funny chap, but feels the need to lower himself to cheapness to make his mark, actually not necessary as it far better to be subtle than crude and coarse - such as he has become. Russell who? A crude and ruthless "entertainer" who again has only ever been able to rely on obscenity for his humour. I suppose it appeals to the banal or brain deadmbut certainly not the majority. For once the Beeb has taken some sort of action - good on them. No doubt though the pair are maintained on their major salaries, and will come back with their tails between their legs. I wonder how good old matey JR would like people to make remarks about his beloved family? Grow up the pair of you - you believed you were above contempt - well sadly you are both contemptable. Time you were both brought down to earth. What is the difference between them and poor old Michael Barrymore. Move over!

They should both be sacked without any further ado.

Sack the pair of them and replace their shows with yet another reality TV show or a 10 year old film we haven't each seen numerous times before.

This is good news for good sense. Irrespective of how funny some people think this pair are (and there is definitely a generational divide here), they left obscene messages on the answering machine of a 78-year-old. How can anyone think this is funny?

they are funny it was funny get a life or a reality check. worse things going on imigration for example!! a tiny amount of people complained not worth all this time wasting

Supporters of Ross and Brand accuse people who dont actually listen to these presenters to be over-acting on the matter. I enjoy listening or watching Ross but this incident has driven the truth that this man has become too big for his boots. Knowing, he himself has got a daughter, hasn't it not dawned to him that his behaviour on that radio programme is deplorable and will cause a backlash for him in the future. While Brand is popular with women for the rude and vulgar person that he has always been.

I also cannot believe the supporters not seing that in the current problem with anti-social behaviour from the youth and rising street crimes, these kind of public figures are exactly the source of misguidance. Their idols are exactly the kind of people that uneducated and deliquents might take advice from or inspiration. So next time these shoulder-shrugging and 'cool' listeners of Ross and Brand who all dismiss the matter as farce get hassled or are subjected to abuse from anti-social youths, they may have a rude awakening, they are the kind of people that perpetrate such behaviour. So for their support and dismissal of the matter, do they deserve being harrassed, or subject to anti-social behaviour?

This incident has not been blown out of proportion. Professional broadcasters should always behave in a professional manner. And these two work for the BBC - aren't there meant to be standards?? The fact that they earn extraordinary sums of money, provided by license fee payers, makes their conduct all the more abhorent. The sack for both? Absolutely. They've gone too far.

This is rediculous - we the public have bought into and encouraged this type of humour. Whilst they personnally crossed a line there should have been controls in place to stop this broadcasting, although to be frank this is no worse than reading Heat magazine or some of the tabloids - this is a total over reaction in my view and some of you on here should get a life. Have you ever made a mistake??

Always the envelope of comedy has been pushed and we look back and understand, but this is NOT comedy, its outrages cheap abuse and they should be suitably punished

Good riddance to the two most highly inlated personalities on TV and Radio - I for one will not miss them!

Why, Oh Why is this the top story on bbc news? as 'Gav' has pointed out there are way more interesting, tragic and important things going on!

ok, this is rediculous! Brand has now quit his job over the stupidest thing ever! i cant say that i find either of them particularly amusing, but i have listened to the show on you tube and i have to say i did find several of the phone calls kinda funny! they wern't that bad and if Sachs had phoned in for his interview in the first place it would never have happened! Also lets be honest here people, how many of you have made prank calls like this yourself? ok so by doing this on radio they made it way more public but that doesn't change the fact that the majority of people who complained only did so because they herd about it on tv and because they don't like Brand or Ross! i don't like Ross but at least i know where to draw the line! complaints like this could destray their carrers! let it go!

I don't really see a problem with the issue now as Andrew's Grandaughter said she felt justic was done and i felt also that Mr sachs was ok about it but of course it is something that may need to be delt with.

The pair of them are childish and crude. Sometimes it's funny and sometimes not. In this case they have crossed the line. The person responsible for editing shouldn't have let it be broadcast. I understand they have apologised, and Andrew Sachs has said he's not taking it further. The girl in question has made a statement, is an aspiring model and works for a burlesque troupe, and no doubt will sell her story to the tabloids for a hefty sum. Were the two of them idiots? Yes. Is it acceptable behaviour? Well, it's definitely over the line.

But really....our economy is falling down, the US Presidential election is occurring...an earthquake has killed hundreds in Pakistan..there's civil war in Congo with innocents dying and the UN impotent...the usual goings on in the Middle East.

So really - how is this story about two crude tv personalities getting so much media coverage?

They probably did go a bit far but this has been blown out of proportion by people who probably didn't even listen to the show. Reinstate both of them asap

Anyone else would have been keel hauled to their nearest police station for malicious phone calls, and sacked by their employer.These two have simply been suspended from their jobs. They are so conceited that they thought that they were above reproach for this odious behaviour simply because they are who they are,or think they are.

Yes, their comments were a bit OTT but not enough to sack them. I'm not keen on Russell Brand but love Jonathon Ross. We always watch his Friday night show on BBC1. I hope that's not cancelled :(

It wasn't funny. It caused offence. They apologised so let that be an end to it. There are far more important things going on in the world. I can't believe this is worthy of the front pages of newspapers or the first headline on the news.

The reaction of many people once this was made public speaks plainly for itself, this society of ours stoops to new lows if anyone thinks this is acceptable behaviour. Sack them both and ban them from our airways I object to having to pay for this drivel.

Bite the bullet BBC.

As you did with Simon Dee.

Simon Dee! Who's that? Precisely

I think Ross and Brand should be pardoned. Sach was supposed to be on for a telephone interview, and failed to do so. Of course they were going to take the piss! I found every second hilarious. The BBC should man - up. If you don't like Ross or Brand, there are plenty of other broadcasts for you to watch. Meanwhile, leave Ross & Brand on for those of us who have a sense of humour.

Those two are are just a pair of big bullies. Well done to the Beeb for reprimanding them.

Unfortunately Jonathan Ross is a prime example of a talented individual who has been promoted to a level beyond which he believes he is answerable to anybody. I can only imagine that he is surrounded by fawning individuals who are so in awe of his star status (and perhaps his paypacket) that they feel unable to keep him on the straight and narrow. I am a similar age to Ross but have often felt that his judgement (and by extension that of his producers) is extremely poor - his radio show in particular, often includes material which is simply not appropriate for a Saturday morning. No one is too big to get away with it.

I'm glad that the BBC has finally decided that we don't need to be subjected to the self indulgent rubbish that has become the format for the shows from both Ross and Brand. I chose to turn them off long ago and now hope the BBC does for good.

Me again. I just trawled thru' the other comments on this story. For Trevor Steed to compare it in his second post to murdering somebody and apologising is absolutely ludicrous. Now THAT'S funny !!

It was childish and a bit dumb but not THAT malicious. There were very few complaints at all till it was made public that it had happened. Only then did people go on to You Tube or wherever to listen. And Georgina Baillie hasn't done bad out of it. Who'd even HEARD or her this week ???

It's a bit OTT to suspend them both.

Jonathon Ross is someone who seems incapable of behaving like a civilised adult in any broadcasting circumstance. I stopped watching his friday night show after his vulgar, smutty remarks (particularly to female guests) became intolerable. He seems to think that he is a "national treasure" and that, because of his "cheeky chappy" image he can do whatever he wants. I strongly object to my money going toward his obscene salary. As for Russell Brand - he is another who seems to think that a certain charm can excuse any behaviour. They are overgrown schoolboys who should (like many others polluting our screens) be sacked asap.

When will BBC (and commercial tv) producers realise that the youth culture, which they seem to be continuosly aiming programmes at, are not the people who are at home trying to find something decent to watch of an evening? That group of people are more likely to be out clubbing etc than sitting inside watching the box. It is somehow deemed to be smart to be foul mouthed and offensive, like Gordon Ramsay (another who should be got taken off our screens)whereas it is just bad tv. The majority of people that I know detest the way that tv is going now. I also think that one reason that our ociy is so violent now has a lot to do with the decline in standards on the box. Whereas swearing was once used as an outlet for pent up frustration and anger, it is now so commonplace that it no longer serves that purpose and violence has taken its place.

Incidents such as this one just underline how far down the slippery slope of moral decline we have gone. Let's get back to the decent days of television when one didn't have to either turn off (we do pay for the priveledge of watching after all!) or squirm with embarrassment.

Why don't the BBC show a few Fawlty Towers episodes on Friday night to make amends to Mr Sachs and family - ground breaking comedy that didn't offend.

Get over it, Johnathan Ross is the best thing on the BBC on Friday nights and Russle Brand is just amazing! Some people need to learn to see the funny side of life, it's too short to keep complaining! :D

All the apologies in the world won't improve this pair's standing in the eyes of all but the dopes who employed them. Give them a few years to outgrow their schoolboy humour and puerile views and then try them again at apprentice wages.

I have always thought the Russel Brand was a taletness nomark, however I am extremely disappointed in Johnathon Ross - I would have thought he would have had more sense, obviously not.

I think the BBC should sack both of them after investigation. In the meantime I think no salary should be paid, after all it is our fees that pay their wages.

Both of them should be sacked immeadiately by the BBC with loss of income, shame is one of the other channels will pick them up and they will be right back where they are.

Ross is over rated and over paid, Brand is just not funny or even amusing. And no, I am not some grumpy old hard up bigot, I am just a feed up license payer who is sick of people like this being allowed to get away with so much. Hit them where it hurts, shame them and dont pay them.

Great, does this mean we no longer have to put up with Ross on Friday night, Saturday morning etc., etc., etc. No more self indulgent Ross - how wonderful! Sorry to say Jonathan I think you have now over stepped the mark. Times move on and people grow up so that boyish fun has become rather dull!

These guys were well over the top and has come down to nothing better than bullying - honestly pick on someone your own size - or more importantly - your own age. This was reckless and stupid and has only brought to light the fact that yes, Mr. Ross, it is time for you to go. We have had enough of your self importance and surely it must be time for someone else to take over the reigns and give us some prime TV and radio. Any suggestions?

It is Andew Sachs and his family who should be offended and should be recompensed. The veiwers are just witnesses to what happened and should not be offended as in this day and age it seems that anything goes and I think we've all seen and heard worse. I think Jonathan Ross is a great entertainer and it would be a great pity to lose him over this mistake. Everyone should be able to make a mistake and be forgiven.

Yes, what they did was pretty bad but the scale of outrage has become ridiculous. Why can't people be moved to the point of outrage about things that actually matter?

Child poverty for instance is an outrage. Homelessness on the streets of our rich nation is inexcusable. Two comics having a pop at the old guy who played Manuel is a slightly distasteful celebrity story. Calm down, put the Daily Mail down, have a cup of tea and then get on with your lives.

What gets me is that even though they have been suspended, they are probably still on full pay and at the end of the so called investigation they will probably be back at work again in a couple of weeks time, hands rapped.

They will probably not learn anything from this though as they will think that as they more or less got away with it this time that will give them carte blanche to do it again to someone else. I was surprised in the first place when the BBC took Russell Brand on and both together are just like a pair of schoolchildren egging each other on.

As for the comments earlier about not causing any harm.

Yes they may not have been physical harm but emmotionally this would have hurt and no one but no one deserves that kind of treatmenet no matter who they are.

Absolutely correct to suspend these guys. I don't care whether the producers are to blame I think both Ross and Brand are a law unto themselves and would have thought this extremely funny without any respect for anyone else's feelings. Very sad as these guys were at the outset extremely funny but due to their over exposure and their inflated salaries they feel detached from any reality or sensitivity. Yob culture rules obviously!

I happen to like Brand & Ross and yes I do not condone what they did, but with a culture of people trying to get their "Five Minutes" of fame what about looking at the bigger picture. His grandaughter belongs to a group called the Satanic Sluts and has no problem telling everyone that her grandfather is Manuel from Faulty Towers. From what I have read she does a rather lewd act in the clubs in London, and has been to Brand's house. Are we now to see interviews with her and will she be on every celebrity show from the Jungle to the House. I wonder if her grandfather will complain about that. Perhaps Andrew Sachs should try out for that show "Grumpy Old Men".

I telephoned Ross and told him about my relationship with his wife. his sense of humour was not very evident.

Jonathan Ross is a special and uncommon talent and though he perhaps he knows this all too well, we the British viewing and listening public will be the worse off for his disappearance. Personally I find Gok Wan's latest TV show infinitely more offensive. Not because of the naked women ... no, because of their ritual abuse at the hands of pillocks like Loaded Magazine's James Brown and has-been Mica Paris while Gok stands by and does nothing to defend these vulnerable women. Shame on you Gok ... good on you Jonathan!

The BBC was right to suspend Ross and Brand. I find it staggering that two men who get paid so much money to come up with orignal, funny material could only come up with prank calls to a 78 year old man.

Ross and Brand are so out of date, they don't push the boundaries of comedy but try and keep it in the "eighties" when shock jocks could say "bum" and get laughs from children. Due to their lack of wit they can't shock, only offend. In their desperation they will get more offensive until their huge salaries are threatened. Sack them and let new talent come through.

I hope they both get the boot.

Their "apologies" such as they are, have had to be wrung from them and Brand certainly seems to show no genuine contrition.

To repeatedly keep calling Andrew Sachs over and over again, oh please, is abusive..there is a law of nuisance calls, BUT mentioning HIS Gdaughter and her 'activities' with Russel Brand, this shows the code of conduct of radio/TV presenters have NO RESPECT for the Sachs Family OR THE BBC. ( hire them to park cars infuture BBC)

You reap what you sow.

who cares

Does anyone else think this is getting a little bit out of hand? Ok they went a little bit over the line and have apologised but is there really any need for Gordon Brown to be getting involved when he should be keeping an eye on the economy?! There was also only a few complaints following the show, everyone else who's piped up about it aren't even listeners in the first place, their just Daily Mail readers with nothing better to do. This girl, as a member of the 'Satanic S**ts' is only out to increase her profile and get her picture in the paper anyway. Fair enough give them a fine, but don't sack them, surely good comedy has always been about pushing the boundaries?

I find Jonathan Ross so rude, self-obsessed and disrepectful (especially to and about women) that I have stopped watching Friday Night with Jonathan Ross. I think the BBC has done absolutely the right thing in suspending Brand and Ross for their childish and offensive 'prank'. I can only hope that in the ludicrously over-paid Ross's case they make the suspension permanent.

It's simple: fire Ross, Bland and the fool who authorised this programme to be aired. Nobody will miss any of them.

This seems to be a Bovril moment: those who think it's all a big joke, saying sorry is an end to it, and the media are blowing it out of proportion...and there's those who want the pair sacked. I'll call the first group "A" and the latter "B".

The words responsibility spring to mind. I don't know how old "A" is, or how they think saying "my mate screwed your daughter - I hope you don't die" is funny. They are fully responsible for the words that come out of their mouths. They get paid to entertain not abuse. The BBC is paid to broadcast. The public pay the BBC. Clearly paying the BBC for them to abuse anyone, verbally or otherwise, is not right. The A's need to think about that. If they are not adults, then fine - watch and learn; if they are they need to grow up. It's not big or clever. Jonathon Ross's ego (as poster noel) mentioned has grown to the size of Everest, fuelled by BBC pay. Time for discipline and a paycut I think.

From the clip I heard Brand just "joined in" like a naughty kid in the classroom, wanting to impress his peer.

They both need to take responsibility, grow up, and then go away and leave us all in peace for a bit.

I am of course in group B...

Ross's and Brand's "humour" is both infantile and outdated. Most of us moved on from finding tits, bums and sex funny when we approached our teens. Please find some real talent asap.

This has cheered me up to the max - Ross & Brand are rubbish - bravo BBC - now get rid of them for good....

To be honest, I couldn't care less about this Andrew guy. So what, they might have said some offensive things but everyone should just get over it! They've apologised so why can't we just forget about it? Worse things have happened. I was looking forward to seeing Johnathon Ross' show on friday (and listening to his radio show on saturday). It's not like anyone got hurt (physically, anyway) so we should just all forget about it and stop making a fuss over nothing. There are more important things going on in the world. (Are normal people not allowed to harmlessly prank call someone? I know I've been many times!!)

I think the BBC was totally right for suspending these two overpaid pompous (we cant be touched) individuals. Jonathon ross is always insulting people and gets away with it and gets a vast amount of money for doing so. He should be fined or Andrew Sachs should sue!

What a storm in a teacup. The BBC have a responsibility to provide entertainment to ALL members of the British public. Some will think that this is funny, others won't. The same can be said of many other programmes such as Little Britain USA. Those who don't like the content of any programme should exercise their choice by switching to something else. Most humour is offensive to someone. Does this mean that we are only allowed 'homogenised' humour in our culture these days? What a desperately sad country this is becoming if we aren't allowed to enjoy our differences. We should start to make up our own minds about things rather than be influenced by the opinion of journalists who have successfully managed to increase their circulation figures and possibly received a hefty bonus from the editor.

Brand and Ross have portrayed despicable standards of conduct and judgement - should we be surprised. Ross's foul mouth and focus on smut should reap its just rewards in my view - dismissal.

Sacking the pair of them is appropriate. As the program was recorded; the production team who allowed its unedited transmission should also follow. The current furore is of course completely out of perspective. For the BBC still to have this as a leading news article is risible but symptomatic of the abject absence of true journalism anywhere in mainstream print and broadcast media. Personally neither Ross's or Brand's radio programs had any merit and neither is worth this level of publicity. Brand is a pseudo intellectual buffoon and Ross a superannuated smutty child.

sachs has a written, hand delivery personal apology, what more do you want, blood?

people don't complain when comedians make fum of Gordon Brown or any other important figure head,

sachs is just an actor from an old comedy show of only 8 episodes.

the media have blow this up to somthing big, it happen 2 weeks ago. now they are a discrase, i dont want to wake up to this on the news,

where has the real world issues that matter gone?

ross and brand are just doing what they do best, if your offended by russel brand, what are you doing listening to his show?

wake up england this is 2008!!!!

It is comforting to know that Ross and Brand have been suspended after their appalling behaviour on Radio2. Why has it taken Mark Thompson so long to issue a statement? Why did Lesley Douglas take on two characters like Ross and Brand? Just to try to attract younger listeners to Radio2? I have no time for either presenter having listened to and watched their programmes with disgust, so used the power of the off button to make my feelings known. They have got to be sacked and punished with some kind of hefty fine to teach them a lesson. Poor Andrew Sachs...a lovely old gentleman to be treated so badly. He is a national institution whom we all love. He must be hurting really badly and my thoughts are with him and his family.

I cannot believe how this has got so out of control - the broadcast was made on 18th October - the BBC received just 2 complaints, it was only after a certain Sunday tabloid got hold of the story that the complaints started flooding in - how many of that 10,000 actually heard the broadcast when it went out - very few I reckon. Yes, they behaved like a couple of kids, but their audience obviously had no problem with it - let them apologise & have done with it. The editorial team are to blame as much as Brand & Ross. Jonathan Ross is overall an asset to the BBC & should not be sacked for this prank. Brand & Ross have brought Radio 2 to a much larger audience - let them continue & don't let the Right wing tabloid press push them out

They both give young people the impression that this is how to behave and are completely childish in doing so.

People have become hysterical.... calm down, I can't see what all the fuss is about. These two are known for saying controversial things... if you don't like it, don't watch or listen. This is being blown out of proportion a bit like the "race" saga with Jade in Big Brother.

Having listened to recordings of what was said, I certainly do believe that Brand and Ross have gone too far and am surprised that they were allowed to do such thing on the BBC. Not only should the latter be dismissed from BBC Radio, but so too, those that are responsible for the programe transmitted.

I feel also, that Brand and Ross should be kept off BBC TV until such time as they can prove that they can act as adults on air, instead of a couple of yobs.

I am sure it was an ill-judged moment, but it has been blown out of proportion completely. I think it is rediculous that politicians, especially the prime minister and leader of the opposition, should be getting involved at all; it makes me think they are trying to jump on the celebrity bandwagon. Another chance to get their names in the papers.

THE COMMENTS WERE WAY OUT OF ORDER AND THE TWO INDIVIDUALS WHO MADE THEM HAVE SHOULD UNQUESTIONABLY BE SEVERELY DISCIPLINED EVEN BY TERMINATION OF CONTRACT. THE BBC HAS SO FAR SHOWED COMPLACENCY. ALL THE FACTS OF THE MATTER ARE SURELY KNOWN AND THE VAST WEIGHT OF LICENCE PAYERS COMMENTING ARE OBJECTING, WITH GOOD REASON. THE STANDARDS OF THE BBC ARE CONTINUALLY BEING ERODED.

A complete storm in a teacup. I'm sick of peopl demanding for them to both be sacked (aloong with all bankers and councillors who invest money in Icelandic banks).

The British public, like medieval peasants, still love baying for blood and a public execution.

i think this has gone way out of hand, they have apologised so many times, it was just a joke! I say get a life everyone.

Of course they have gone too far - people like that always do, it's their stock-in-trade. Take away the outrageous behaviour and what's left? Nothing. What little talent people like this may have once possessed has been drowned with the flood of self-opinion that inflated salaries tend to produce.

Will the Jonathan Ross show on Friday night still be broadcast? Its going to be very embarrassing for himself and his guests I would have thought!

So if I murder someone and then publicly apologise it absolves me of all guilt. The apology simply means 'don't punish me' but does not alter one iota the severity and selfishness of the offence.

I do not find the current form of humour , which seems to be based in the debasement and discomfort of others, in the least humerous. This 'stunt' was crass, disgusting and shows the complete lack of social awareness and concern for others of both presenters. It will be a sad day for broadcasting if they keep their contracts with the BBC.

Yes, they went too far. They actually make it worse by their silly attempts at an apology. Jonathan Ross is a father and yet he conducts himself as if he has no grey cells, would he appreciate such a message if it were a daughter or granddaughter of his?

As for Brand, his brand of comedy should be dismissed but then again, he is the kind of person that we consider to have some kind of regard. No wonder the world is going peer shaped. There are men dying for their countries all over the world and yet, we have people like this idiot who thinks that the sun shine out of his behind.

The whole thing has been blown out of proportion, although having just watched Film 2008 special I am missing Barry Norman... I'd rather pay for an honest opinion of a film rather than an unfunny prank on an old man.

I wish the BBC would buy David Letterman's Late Show from CBS... He is the greatest chat show host. Jonothan has said in the past he has based himself on Letterman so why not have the original on BBC... They introduced me to him years ago when he did his show from London on BBC2. I'd rather spend my money on letterman repeats even if they were late at night... I'm sure they wouldn't be £18000000 to buy!

Ross and Brand have broken the law and the BBC management have accepted fault but has failed to take any action.Why ?

I welcome the day when BBCTV does not have Brand on at all. Jonathan Ross should know better than to associate with that minor obscenity.

this thing has definatly gone to far. as two comedians (well sort off) if they end up offending someone it should come as no suprise. when i read that even the prime minister has been dragged into the farce i just had to laugh. surley gordon brown and david cameron have something better to be worring about

I listened to it and thought it was entertaining radio. If you read what they said it looks much worse than actually hearing the show, and it is clear that they're having a laugh rather than maliciously telling Andrew Sachs that Russel slept with his daughter.

It was certainly edgy radio, and maybe it was to an extent offensive - but so much comedy is based on being offensive within reason that it hardly seems worth all the fuss. I doubt Andrew Sachs has been harmed by what was said, despite it not being that nice. Good radio.

When will people realise that Russell Brand is simply NOT FUNNY!

umm i do think that they where a bit out of order but he said that he was ok with there apoligies and he doesnt care but there are a oad of 40-50 year old bald guys who are defending Sachs but they laughed when john cleese beat him around the head i think that leting either Ross or Brand will cause a huge hole with the teen ratings of the bbc because it hasn't got its own "Skins"

Funny schoolboy stuff - until they 'invaded' someone's privacy. Totally unacceptable. Severe reprimand and pocket money stopped.....sack? NO

The two should be sacked

They both should be sacked, saving the license payer £6m.

I heard Brand's apology, which wasn't an apology at all. I don't think personl attacks are exactly cutting edge humour and I'm sure that Brand and Ross wouldn't find it so funny to have their female relations insulted by a couple of intellectually challenged individuals.

of course they went too far! so did the bbc in allowing the broadcast. all involved should be suspended pending the outcome of the enquiry and then their services should be dispensed with.

hahahahahahahaha funny guys

Of course they went too far. It is not alright for people to leave obscene messages on someone's answer phone. You would not like it if it happened to you, and on that basis alone it should not have been allowed. It is also illegal and against broadcasting regulation. To have such an act vetted as acceptable by the BBC is astonishing, until you remember that these are the people who lied and stole from the public in a range of faked competitions and made up an incident involving the Queen because it made good TV. Then it just becomes part of a pattern. As far as the BBC has concerned, self-regulation has failed. They need to be brought under OFCOM's control like every other broadcaster. The license fee needs looking at too.

Brand I can appreciate. Ross not. His fee is ludicrous. He should be sacked. Sachs via Fawlty Towers is a National treasure. Ross is a pointless idiot. Sack him. My licence fee should not go to pensioner-bullying morons like this.

Yes they went to far..but thats what they always do!

That's what editors and producers are there for, to keep the "talent" in check...No excuses on a recorded programme.... sack them

For some time now Jonathan Ross has appeared to be out of control and is more interested in his own ego than those of his guests.

I reccomend they are taken off the air to reflect on the error of their ways. I do not think they are in any way sorry for their silly actions and proably do not think the have done anything wrong. Also if the show was recorded who was responsible for letting the show to be transmitted