Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross suspended

Remember the Celebrity Big Brother racism row? Back then, UK media regulator, Ofcom, got over 44,500 complaints from viewers outraged by some of the contestants' behaviour towards Shilpa Shetty.

It looks like Ofcom is likely to be inundated with a massive - and rapidly growing - number of complaints following Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand's 'lewd phone calls' to Andrew Sachs. Ross and Brand - whose celebrity status was sealed by a massive BBC salary and a couple of Hollywood stints respectively - have now been suspended by the BBC.

Georgina Baillie - the scantily-clad Andrew Sachs grand-daughter who's at the centre of the latest media/celeb scandal - wants both presenters sacked. Not because she was hurt. Because her grandad was upset.

It's a complex matter, which got some media outlets in a tizz and left some cynics totally cold. Even our office is divided. Some think it's blown out of all proportions, others think Ross and Brand should get a kick in their backsides. Whose side are you on? What's your take on the whole thing? Let us know below

SEE ALSO:
Russell Brand quits BBC and Jonathan Ross apologises >>
Russell Brand's most controversial moments >>

Comments

[Linet]

I myself complained to the BBC over this matter. But about the apalling treatment that Ross and Brand received. As they daily leaked how many people complained I asked them to also (in the interest of balance - they always bang on about it) publicise how many people wrote in support of them. They obviously didn't fancy that idea. Someone had the knives out for Ross and Brand. I just hope the minority mindless, drones who won the day will be happy with repeat episodes of "only fools and horses" and "last of the summer wine" ad nauseum, because that's all they'll have left after they've censored the life out of what we watch.

[Ron]

foul mouthed lads acting like idiots but dont forget thy were being paid for it

why not put ROSS on bbc 3 which is supposedly for the younger generation

[Nicole]

Honestly, this is so wholly sensationalist. What they did was horrible, but I don't think such actions should be taken. It should be left to Sachs to decide the future of Ross and Brand. That Georgina girl should not be allowed to say anything, she's just out for a free career boost. She's a total hypocrite, and her skanky troupe, "Satanic Sluts" (says it all) are not talented.

[shirley]

Oh please leave them both alone now enough already. They did make a mistake they were larking around that's all, they did not air it the BBC did and therefore it's the BBC who are at fault. We all make mistakes in life and it's important learn from them but to lose your job over it, absolutely not. I am not a fan of Russell Brand because he is so crude however I genuinely believe it was just a laugh and nothing else. The BBC should be looking out for people from within trying to bring them down.
Chins up Jonathan and Russell as they say, this too shall pass. Shirley

[Ally Campbell]

For every single person who complained i would imagine theres at least 20 other people who would tell them to get a grip. Dont like it ? Dont listen to it!

[Toots]

These two dopes, or self acclaimed presenters, both seen themselves as Jack the Lad. Simple Simon more like it now eh lads !

[cari]

P.S. Why is it okay for the the girl to sell her story for a 6 digit no. but not for Brand to say he slept with her? Apparently, she is a porn star, and is telling people about how Brand was in bed. Well, she doesn't mind upsetting her grandfather now does she!

[paul]

anyone who complained is a miserable so and so and needs to get a life - i bet their lives are so uninteresting all they do with their time is watch tv or listen to the radio hoping they'll see or hear something they can have a good moan to ofcam about - will we ever see the end of this backwards mentality that britain is so synonymous for - if you dont like jonanthan ross or russell brand then dont watch/listen to anything thats to do with them - that would be your problem solved - sacked? God forbid - it would be the beginning of the end of british comedy as we know it

[sj]

Like Jimmy Carr had the guts to stand up and say (becase many people are jumping on the band wagon) a big fuss over something little.

Haven't people got better things to do in their lives than complain over this. Now they are going to investigate 'Mock the week.' !!! Comedians will be unable to say anything soon. I can't be bothered with this anymore. Unforgiving public.

[me]

If people don't like his shows, why watch them?!

[Dorothy Ryder]

I cannot believe that they have got away with it with just a suspention. They should have sacked them and made sure neither one worked for Radio or Television again.I have always thought Johnathon Ross goes to far on his shows all the lewd remarks he makes to gust always talking about sex all the time. he's not right in the head, neither is Russell brand.

Sack Ross and make sure he never works on TV and radio again

[starbar]

Condsidering this prank happened in September I think the media have a lot to answer for, in the way they have pushed and sensationalised this story.....I also think the girl in question is just trying to push her career on the backs of this..Now shes disclosing details of thier affair! Says it all!

[Lynne]

Totally shocking how these men are being treated. The majority of the complaints made were registered days after the event - Jumping on the band wagon anyone?
The girl - i wont even mention her name is just trying to get a career out of this - get a life and a proper job - stop trying to ruin the careers of two of the funniest men around!!!

[Carley]

What about all of the politicians that have messed up? Have they lost their jobs then? I think not!

[Ceri]

THAT GIRL IS THE EPITOME OF HYPOCRISY. COMPLETE HYPOCRITE.

[Ceri]

SHE IS CASHING IN ON IT!

HOW CAN YOU COMPLAIN IN ONE BREATH AND THEN CASH IN ON IT IN ANOTHER?!

I DON'T MEAN TO BE OFFENSIVE, BUT THAT SACHS IS A HAS-BEEN, AND IS MAKING A HUGE DEAL OUT OF IT BECAUSE HE WANTS SOME PRESS.

EVERYONE GET A GRIP.

[Ceri]

Don't you think this is going a bit far? They have apologised - they cannot do anything more. Where has British humour gone?!

[Sher]

Two men getting carried away having a laugh like men do. No real harm intended. It is ridiculous that this fuss has been made over it.

[Fizz]

Whilst the "joke" did go too far, the whole scenario since has been blown out of all proportion. This story has been on all the front pages - like there's nothing else more important going on in the world at the moment!

[EB]

OMG!!! this has just got blown way out of proportion!! it was something silly that only what 2 people complained about until the news and stuff wouldnt let it go so now loads have complained. Even though. you know that that is the sort of humour they have and if you dont like that sort of stuff you just wouldnt listen to it!!! OVERREACTION COMPLETLY.

[cj]

Unbelievable fuss over nothing. Aren't there more important things in the world going on than two men acting sillily and taking things a bit far?! There was no malice in it, and Sach's granddaughter will probably make a load of money from it anyway. She's not denying sleeping with him, is she?! I am so fed up of hearing it on the news - more fuss is being made over this than murders and things. Boys will be boys, and even though it was thoughtless, they have apologised. Why is that not good enough for people these days!?

[Loni]

Saw the Sun today - Baille has sold her story on Russell Brand in the sack - hilarious, talk about cashing in.

[Maria]

The thing that a lot of people are forgetting is that the granddaughter did actually sleep with Russell!! As people have said before, why is there not some sort of punishment for the BBC bosses that let it go out on air. This is such a stupid over reaction, why do the public feel the need to take offence to something that has nothing to do with them, they're just listening to the show, what does it matter to them whats said. Take Fonejacker for example, a lot of rude and crude prank phone calls and yet I don't see anything about a single complaint about it. My point is that the public have this overwhelming urge to interfere in something that really doesn't need to have anything to do with them. Bandwagon isn't the word for it, this started with 2 complaints, because of publicity and news that has now risen to 27,000 which begs the question, would this have all been sorted out quietly and appropriately if the press hadn't been involved?!

[Tanya]

We pay the huge salaries of these two clowns. I have been a fan of Mr Ross for many years and consider him to be a great entertainer however, this was a cruel and nasty prank especially as Mr R is a family man. How would he have felt if the joke had been aimed at one of his children? I hope that all involved have learnt a lesson and the whole sorry saga now just goes away

[gill]

Both Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand have built their whole careers on being vulgar, rude and outspoken. Therefore this incident personally comes as no surprise as I think it is high time the public call a halt to this sort of behaviour and the example it sets to younger people. It would appear the younger generation are the majority of those who do not find this so offensive which speaks for itself. The guys are not good role models and the BBC should know better particularly as it is our licence fee which pays their (huge)salaries. I think the reason for the massive outcry and complaints is because they have been allowed to get away with it for some long. Personally I think they are both pretty talentless and have got where they are for being smutty and they finally went over the top. I for one would not be sorry to see the back of them.

[:)]

This has so got way out of proportion. If this carries on we won't be aloud to say anything! Fight back Brand and Ross! They have both appologised so they should be forgiven and left alone.

[Sylph]

i do not care, the gran-daughter has seroiusly over reacted. reading the news stories, he wants to see it over while she wants to drag it for every penny.

[Bill]

I've Known guy's who talk this way.In status and Education were complete opposites to the presenters.Maybe they have chav friends.

[missthing]

What is this country getting like? the reaction to this is ridiculous and if they've offered an apology then that should be it. Andrew sachs is just using it to generate some interest in his boring dead career...as as for the not so innocent grandaughter! like someone said before, she's just happy to be in the paper (sl*g). I can take or leave ross or brand but why should they be sacked? punished yes, but sacked no way. Pathetic uk press for blowing it out of proportion and a bunch of saddo's who complained in the first place.

[Leah]

What I don't understand is if it was a pre recorded show then why did it get the air time??
It's not just down to Russell and Jonathan BBC bosses could have nipped all this in the bud long ago.
It was a joke that went too far.
The 18,000 people that complained obviously have too much time on their hands.

The grandaughter (whatever her name is) is loving this now she has her name in the papors,cannot believe Russell Brand slept with her in the first place!!!!
Still luv ya though Russ :-)

[Jo]

My 17year old son and I discussed this tonight and I was surprised at his reaction.
He thought (and I agree)that it wasn't even funny.
My concern is for Andrew Sachs- he obviously didn't find it funny. The BBc didn't find it funny either - hence their suspension.
I completely agree that if you put these 2 together then there will be extreme acting out - they both are like kids trying to be the best and the most at everything. However how did they get it so badly wrong? Their stunt was actually cruel and unkind. I think they should be sacked as their behaviour was inappropriate to say the least.

[Keith]

They are rude, ignorant people who do not deserve to be in the positions they hold. No wonder some youth have no respect for people any longer with influences like these two. I wouldn't care if either of them ever appeared on screen or radio again.

[carole]

O.M.G i cant believe all this, did she actually sleep with russel, cause if she did then what the hell is all the fuss about. now i hear rb has quit the bbc whats all that about, for gods sake all you sheep, get a life and leave em alone now....

[Stew Pennykid]

It makes me laugh that people are asking for the sacking due the joke going wrong & being offensive yet delight in calling Jonathan Ross Mr Woss.... Is this not a blatant attempt to belittle someone while at the same time saying this behaviour is unacceptable. Britain needs to grow up & face the fact the world is a different place than it was 50, 40 or even 5 years ago. An apology should be enough as long as they learn their lesson. A lot of those that are so outraged about this need to stop being so hypocritical. The whole story is barely even nwsworthy. Those comment about people jumping on the bandwagon are spot on.

[Lily]

I listen to Russell Brands radio show almost every week, and i frequently watch Friday Night with Jonathan. I'm big fans of theirs and i think this has been blown way out of proportion, i realise it was insensitive and maybe even cruel, But put the two of them together, and what do you expect?! Its really unfair how so many people are passing judgement when they havn't heard it/or have ever listened to them! It's rediculous!

How many of the people who have left a comment have actually heard Russell Brands radio show, gave it a good listen rather than shrugging it off, because perhaps you don't want to like him?
Is that people i hear jumping on a bandwagon?
Hmm...

[Ray]

Almost dont want to add to this ...but:

to put Russell and Jonathan together is asking for trouble. To be outragous is what they get paid for! to then pass the recorded show through to air is an even bigger error. To give this more airtime on the media than the Global financial crisis, wars etc is shameful. And for the granddaughter to go holier than thou, when she is in a group called the "Satanic sluts" beggars belief. I am sure if more ws known about her current antics and quotes then it may damp down the complaints. In summary - a whipped up inconsequential event, where no-one comes out looking good (apart from Andrew Sachs)

[pete]

This whole thing has been blown out of proportion. they should just be given a warning then we might be able to concentrate on the fact more serious things happen in the world to worry about.

[tbob]

This is a total over-reaction to nothing. But it's quite funny to see everyone get so hot under the collar about it.

[Annie]

The media just want to see Ross fall! Yes it was stupid, inappropriate behaviour from a father of three, Brand is well known for this kind of thing. Sacking them would be a step too far. The main thing is who decided it was fit to broadcast anyway!! Poor Wossy and Brand are bearing the brunt of the countries lack of humour due to the credit crunch!

[phil]

sack them both and make sure they never work again in TV anywhere

[Krakatoa Kim]

Whats all the fuss about some of you ask, some claim to be open minded. Dont think so if you minds were more open your skull would implode. The pair of them should be sacked they are not worth it anyway and SERTAINLY NOT FUNNY. As for some saying you dont have to watch it/hear it, how stupid, are those so idiotic that they know what is going to happen in a programme. Think of the heart ache caused to innocent people

[Perdita]

It is ok saying don't listen to Ross and Brand, but Andrew Sachs didn't have that option when the comments were made on his answerphone. Some people may think it is funny but I don't think my grandparents or parents would be very amused if that kind of message was left on their answer machine. And how would Ross feel if Russell Brand was bragging on air about sleeping with his own daughter ? Not very happy I guess. They should be suspended without pay and that goes for the producer of the show.

[Maria]

What the hell is everyone fretting about??!!!
Have none of you ever taken a joke too far?! Thats all thats happened and the country's in uproar, if someone were to play a joke on me and they went too far, I doubt very much that there would be any interest at all, I know they're celebrities and they're supposed to 'set an example' but they're comedians, they're paid to be funny and as people have said before, if you don't like it, don't watch/listen to it. This is all totally insane and a complete over reaction. Why is our country so politically correct, we can't do anything anymore, if this carries on then why not sack Matt Lucas and David Walliams for their outrageous humour??!

[Nigel]

With out a doubt the behaviour was not professional and unacceptable. My sympathies go out to an actor who has very professionally given great performances to millions.
BUT - my personal knowledge of this incident comes from ITV news, two days running. Perhaps they also should apologise for capitalising on and rebroadcasting the event?

[Al]

The BBC is supposed to be a public service and what Mr Brand and Mr Ross produced was in fact a great public DISSERVICE. If anyone else in the public sector domain made comments like that they would be sacked with immediate effect. It is literally criminal and if Mr Sachs decided to complain to Police then both ROSS and BRAND would most likely be charged. As they are well known celebrities and on such hefty wages from the public purse their actions should be subject to greater scrutiny than otherwise and they should not be "let Off" due to their perceived celebrity status. As for "humour" well its not funny and its not talent - anyone can behave childishly and abuse people as they did.

[Anne]

This behaviour is dispicable, Ross and Brand are overpaid and arrogant. Take them off the air. Ross's salary is obscene in itself befor he opens his mouth. Brand trades on filth not humour.

[jill]

Hello? Is the PC brigade ruling Britain? These guys are paid to be entertaining and outrageous.
On reflection, this 'joke' seems to be insensitive and perhaps not that funny - particularly as it offended a well-known and well-liked 78 year old...
But why air the piece? Didn't anyone at the Beeb listen first?
It didn't seem to be intentionally malicious.

Are the calls to sack JR and RB an excuse to display bigotry motivated by envy of their talent and wealth?

Personal choice to tune in or not.

Shouldn't an apology be enough?

[debbie wright]

the guys have apologised to those directly involved. The public should not watch or listen to risque performers if they are easily offended and leave those of us who have more open minds to enjoy their humour.

[debbie wright]

the guys have apologised to those directly involved. The public should not watch or listen to risque performers if they are easily offended and leave those of us who have more open minds to enjoy their humour.

[RB]

Hear hear! Bring back public flogging just for these two!

[QE2]

OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!

[PIJ]

They are just a pair of overpaid talentless yobs. Sack them I say!

[smeewifey]

They should lose their jobs. Had it been one of us, we'd have been fired and most likely prosecuted as well.

[mad]

I DON'T WATCH THEM EVER, BECAUSE I CAN'T STAND THEM.I KNOW WHAT THEY DID BECAUSE ITS IN THE NEWS.I THINK THEY SHOULD BE SACKED.ITS INVADING PERSONAL SPACE. ROSS APOLOGIZED AFTER BUT ALSO WENT ON TO SAY "IT WAS FUNNY THOUGH".IF THEY ARE NOT SACKED,PAY THEM ALOT LESS MONEY.

[Nige]

Humour at the expense of others is cheap and sad. Lets face it Mr. Woss doesn't care where he gets his laughs,just as long as he gets them. Sack them both, or at the very least hit them with a HEAVY fine! And who is that other guy??? someone dragged away from his cardboard house who's best mate is some guy called Harry somebody? ... I'm not sure he can save him.

[the daddy]

yeh..to be honest..it was for a laugh..and it went to far..mayb slap them with a fine? they shudnt be sackd!!

[Timbo]

Its all very well for some of the public to say forget this incident - and who cares? But we are dealing with the feelings of an elderly gentleman, who for years made the whole country laugh with his portrayal of Manuel in Fawlty Towers. So two of our so called stars of today have the right to harass a man who's comedic abilities are remembered 30 years on, lets see if Rossy and that other bloke are remembered in 30 years time - I doubt it!! I have enjoyed Mr. Ross's TV and radio shows for many years - but after this outrageous action, he has gone down in my estimation. The other bloke - Brand, just isn't funny!!

[Nadine]

I am a 63 year old grandmother and cannot see what all the fuss is about. Have the British public and Andrew Sachs had a sense of humour bypass

[Sarah]

What did everyone expect to happen when Russell and Johnathon got together, a tea party? This is what they're both well known for, if you don't like that kind of thing, dont watch it!!!

[Nat]

What a fuss about nothing! The media are like a dog with a bone with this story.

[ronnie]

who cares