So, this story's got a lot bigger than I expected. Russell Brand yesterday resigned from his BBC Radio 2 show as the Corporation finally got round to properly responding to the tabloid outrage regarding an edition of the comedian's radio programme guest presented by Jonathan Ross. As you all no doubt know, Brand and Ross seemed to leave a number of lewd messages on the answer phone of actor Andrew Sachs, best known for his portrayal of Manuel in 'Fawlty Towers', after the actor became unavailable for a pre-arranged interview. The messages centred on the friendship between Brand and the actor's granddaughter Georgina Baillie, and started with Ross telling Sachs on his voicemail "He fucked your granddaughter!" and kind of went downhill from there.
With the Mail On Sunday leading with an outraged front page story on the phone messages last weekend, and with no official comment from the BBC or Ross, and a somewhat lacklustre albeit generally apologetic initial response from Brand, the story has grown and grown. With 27,000 complaints having been submitted by end of play yesterday (compared to the two submitted prior to the Mail On Sunday story), the BBC finally issued a statement announcing it had suspended both Brand and Ross, adding that it would investigate the incident and why the phone calls had been aired when that edition of Brand's programme had, in fact, been pre-recorded. With the tabloids calling for sackings, BBC top man Mark Thompson himself stepped in to confirm the suspensions.
Shortly afterwards Brand announced he was quitting his Radio 2 show, while Ross issued a public apology, saying he hadn't done previously because he planned to do so on his BBC1 show this week - a show that will now not air due to the suspension.
Confirming his resignation, Brand said: "I have apologised to Andrew Sachs for the rude messages I left on October 18 and he has graciously accepted. 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. I've loved working for the BBC and am very proud of the shows myself, Matt Morgan, Nic Philps, Mr Gee and Noel Gallagher have made and I apologise to all of them for damaging their careers - except Noel, whose band are doing quite well".
On the comments he left on Sach's answer phone, he continued: "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. Apologies are also owed to the loyal listeners of the show who enjoyed its shambolic spirit and anarchy and will be upset that it cannot continue. I take complete responsibility and offer nothing but love and contrition and I hope that now Jonathan and the BBC will endure less forensic wrath. Hare Krishna".
Ross issued his statement via his lawyers, and it read: "I am deeply sorry and greatly regret the upset and distress that my juvenile and thoughtless remarks on the Russell Brand show have caused. I have not issued a statement previously because it was my intention and desire to offer an apology to all those offended on my Friday night programme. However, it was a stupid error of judgement on my part and I offer a full apology".
Ross had reportedly already sent a personal apology to Sachs himself last weekend. Sachs said yesterday that he had received and accepted apologies from both Brand and Ross, adding on Brand's decision to quit Radio 2: "I respect his decision. I hope he moves forward, I really hope he does".
Baillie, who does seem to be making the most of the exposure this story is giving her, perhaps in a bid to plug her burlesque cabaret group, told the Sun she was "thrilled" the pair had been suspended over the phone calls and that "justice has been done".
It remains to be seen if the story dies down now Brand has quit, and how the BBC can investigate the incident in such a way that it can bring Ross back to the air without too much tabloid outrage. Also whether anyone in the upper echelons of Radio 2 will also have to go, given that the decision to air the controversial links was somewhat unwise. Both media regulator OfCom and the Metropolitan Police are also investigating (the latter because it is an offence to leave obscene voicemail messages) so the story may yet run and run.
Brand's positions at Channel 4 and the Guardian have not, as yet, been affected by all the outrage.