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BBC Apologises For Phone Calls

The BBC has apologised to actor Andrew Sachs for the "unacceptable and offensive" content of calls made to him by Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross during a radio show.

The pair left answerphone messages for the 78-year-old Fawlty Towers star in which they told him Brand had slept with his granddaughter and joked that the actor might kill himself as a result.

"We have received a letter of a complaint from Mr Sachs' agent and would like to sincerely apologise to Mr Sachs for the offence caused," a BBC spokeswoman said.

"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 pre-recorded calls were aired on Brand's Radio 2 show.

The host and Ross, who presents a show on the same radio channel, began making calls after Sachs apparently did not answer his phone for a pre-arranged interview to promote a television show.

Ross, 47, left a message telling Sachs: "He f***** your granddaughter." Brand, 33, denied this, but added: "Oh no, I have revealed I know her name."

After discussing how Sachs might hang himself as a result, the pair made a string of calls in which they ostensibly attempted to apologise for what was "just a joke", but continued to leave lewd messages.

At one point, Brand sang: "I said some things I didn't of oughta, like I had sex with your granddaughter, though it was consensual."

A spokeswoman for Sachs said the actor, who played waiter Manuel in Fawlty Towers, was "upset" by the incident but did not wish to comment further. His agent, Meg Poole, said she had emailed and written to the BBC to formally complain about the calls.
waveguide.co.uk

The cowardly pair leave it to their boss to apologise for the type of humour they see fit to spout. Well I hope they are never on the receiving end of such tastless humour regarding a member of their own family, any time soon.

Outraged Sun driven to print topless pics of Andrew Sachs's granddaughter

"Fury after obscene call to TV Manuel," the Sun spluttered today as it reported Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross's calls to Andrew Sachs, in which the pair joked about Brand sleeping with the Fawlty Towers star's granddaughter Georgina Baillie. So enraged, in fact, that it dug out a topless picture from 2005 of Georgina auditioning for Page 3. The Daily Mail's website also got in on the act, showing its outrage at the telephone calls by publishing large pictures of Georgina in different scantily clad poses. Monkey was surprised to see that the Daily Star's outrage didn't culminate in a set of raunchy pictures in today's paper, but is sure the title will put things right tomorrow.
guardian

Pressure For Statement From BBC Chief

BBC Director General Mark Thompson is under pressure to make a personal public apology over obscene phone calls made by Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross.

None of the corporation's senior management including Thompson, head of radio output Tim Davie or Radio 2 controller Lesley Douglas has spoken out despite the BBC receiving more than 1,500 complaints a record amount.

The corporation said that 7,500 complaints have been received about the broadcast where Brand and Ross leave crude messages on the answerphone of 78-year-old actor Andrew Sachs claiming Brand slept with his granddaughter, model and sometime musician Georgina Baillie, 23.

It added that many focused on the pair's taxpayer-funded salaries. Ross is paid £6million a year for radio and television work, while Brand receives more than £200,000.

However, Tory MP John Whittingdale, chairman of the Commons Media Select Committee, said: "This is a serious breach compounded by a failure to issue a proper apology. A senior figure such as Mark Thompson needs to speak out."

Whittingdale said Thompson will be asked to account for the failures in the chain of command, which allowed the recording to be aired. He added: "What is more troubling is that this part of the radio programme went through editorial checks and balances that are meant to stop this from happening."

Thompson will have to determine who was at fault in authorising the late-night programme. It is believed a senior producer between Lewis Carnie and Brand's producer Nic Philps signed off on the programme. However, given the level of public outcry it appears inevitable the BBC Trust as the public broadcaster's independent governing body will have to become involved.

Sir Michael Lyons, as chairman, will be able to call for punitive action against the two stars or the senior management responsible for their conduct.

The presenters are both believed to have written personal letters of apology to Mr Sachs, who has spoken of his anger. He said: "People ask me if I'm angry. Well, yes, but not half as angry as Georgina. That's where the apology should be directed."

The BBC Trust has now asked the BBC's management team to report back on its ongoing investigation next week, and will use that briefing to decide what the Trust's enquiry will cover.

A Trust spokesman said this morning: "The Trust has noted BBC management's decision to issue an apology and to carry out a review.

"The Trust's editorial standards committee has requested a report from the management on its review at its meeting next week. In light of that update, the committee will decide what matters should be covered by management in a formal report to the full Trust at its meeting on November 20.

"The Trust will await this report before commenting further and without prejudice to any complaints on appeal it might receive in due course."

Ofcom decided this morning to launch an investigation and has requested a copy of the show from the BBC.

A spokesman said it made a quick decision to take the matter further "because this is an ongoing issue which has received lots of media coverage".

waveguide.co.uk

Blimey, they’re talking about Russell Brand in parliament!



This whole hoo-ha over the rude phone messages Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross left for Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs is getting very serious – they’re talking about it in parliament! Two MPs have tabled a motion condemning the phone calls, which aired on Radio 2. Although Russell, Jonathan and the BBC have all apologised for the offence caused, Russell’s keeping quiet now – when asked for a comment earlier today, he simply said “Hare Krishna”. Meanwhile, Ofcom are investigating the prank after thousands of people complained. Eek.
heatworld

Ross and Brand's jobs under threat as 10,000 complain over 'prank' call and Ofcom launch formal inquiry
Fawlty Towers star calls for apology to granddaughter
Ofcom could fine the corporation £250,000
Pressure grows for BBC Director General to make public apology as corporation launches investigation
.ail