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BBC to discuss prank phone calls BBC to discuss prank phone calls
(10 minutes later)
The BBC's director general is to meet representatives of licence fee payers to discuss lewd phone calls made on a Radio 2 show.The BBC's director general is to meet representatives of licence fee payers to discuss lewd phone calls made on a Radio 2 show.
Mark Thompson will brief the BBC Trust on a preliminary inquiry into how the calls to Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs came to be broadcast.Mark Thompson will brief the BBC Trust on a preliminary inquiry into how the calls to Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs came to be broadcast.
Russell Brand has resigned from Radio 2 and Jonathan Ross has been suspended.Russell Brand has resigned from Radio 2 and Jonathan Ross has been suspended.
The pair made obscene comments about Sach's 23-year-old granddaughter Georgina Baillie during phone calls.The pair made obscene comments about Sach's 23-year-old granddaughter Georgina Baillie during phone calls.
Actor Sachs, 78, was upset after Brand and Ross left a series of lewd messages on his voicemail as part of a pre-recorded show, taped on 16 October.Actor Sachs, 78, was upset after Brand and Ross left a series of lewd messages on his voicemail as part of a pre-recorded show, taped on 16 October.
During the calls, Ross swore and said Brand had slept with Sachs' granddaughter.During the calls, Ross swore and said Brand had slept with Sachs' granddaughter.
But Sachs later said he had "respect" for Brand's decision to step down. It was a stupid error of judgement on my part and I offer a full apology Jonathan Ross Sachs later said he had "respect" for Brand's decision to step down. It was a stupid error of judgement on my part and I offer a full apology Jonathan Ross
Brand, who is believed to have been paid more than £200,000 a year for his Saturday-night show, said in a statement that he took "complete responsibility" for the incident.Brand, who is believed to have been paid more than £200,000 a year for his Saturday-night show, said in a statement that he took "complete responsibility" for the incident.
"As I only do the radio show to make people laugh I've decided that, given the subsequent coverage, I will stop doing the show," he said."As I only do the radio show to make people laugh I've decided that, given the subsequent coverage, I will stop doing the show," he 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.""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."
'Stupid error''Stupid error'
Meanwhile, Ross said in a statement: "I am deeply sorry and greatly regret the upset and distress that my juvenile and thoughtless remarks on the Russell Brand show have caused."Meanwhile, Ross said in a statement: "I am deeply sorry and greatly regret the upset and distress that my juvenile and thoughtless remarks on the Russell Brand show have caused."
He said he had not issued a statement before because he had intended to apologise "to all those offended" on his Friday night chat show.He said he had not issued a statement before because he had intended to apologise "to all those offended" on his Friday night chat show.
"However, it was a stupid error of judgement on my part and I offer a full apology," it added."However, it was a stupid error of judgement on my part and I offer a full apology," it added.
BBC One show Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, which was due to have been filmed at BBC Television Centre, west London, on Wednesday, has been cancelled.BBC One show Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, which was due to have been filmed at BBC Television Centre, west London, on Wednesday, has been cancelled.
A decision has yet to be taken on what should be shown in its place on Friday night.A decision has yet to be taken on what should be shown in its place on Friday night.
Ross's Saturday morning radio show, has also been pulled from Radio 2's schedules. Ross's Saturday morning radio show has also been pulled from Radio 2's schedules.
More than 27,000 people have complained to the BBC while watchdog Ofcom has launched its own investigation.More than 27,000 people have complained to the BBC while watchdog Ofcom has launched its own investigation.