11:55am Wednesday 29th October 2008
Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand have been suspended over their lewd calls to Fawlty Towers star Andrew Sachs, the BBC announced today.
The decision came as the BBC received 18,000 complaints over the furore.
BBC Director-General Mark Thompson said it was "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".
In a written statement, Mr Thompson said the broadcast was a "gross lapse of taste" and a "severe offence".
He said he had apologised to actor Mr Sachs over the broadcast.
He said: "I would like to add my own personal and unreserved apology to Andrew Sachs, his family and to licence fee payers for the completely unacceptable broadcast on BBC Radio 2.
"BBC audiences accept that, in comedy, performers attempt to push the line of taste.
"However, this is not a marginal case. It is clear from the views expressed by the public that this broadcast has caused severe offence and I share that view."
He added: "I have been asked to report to the Trust's Editorial Standards Committee before the end of this week and will discuss with the trust the findings of the report and the actions I propose."
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