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Thompson, who is on holiday, came to the decision after the furore over the offensiveness of the pair's calls to Andrew Sachs grew with Prime Minister Gordon Brown saying he wanted the BBC to take "appropriate action".
After a campaign to sack the pair led by the Daily Mail, the BBC has received more than 18,000 complaints, with around 8,000 coming overnight.
Pressure grew this morning with the girl at the centre of the pair's comments, Sachs' granddaughter Georgina Baillie calling for them to be fired.
Thompson said the pair had been guilty of a "gross lapse of taste" and added his own personal apology.
He has ordered shows featuring Brand and Ross off-air until the case is resolved.
The first show affected is an episode of 'Never Mind The Buzzcocks' featuring Brand, scheduled for broadcast tomorrow night on BBC Two.
Ross' chat show 'Friday Night with Jonathan Ross', which has six more shows in its run left, will not air this week.
Also affected is BBC Radio 2's Saturday schedule with both Ross's morning and Brand's evening shows suspended.
Thompson's statement read: "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.
"Since Sunday, I have been in regular contact with the senior executives I tasked with handling this issue. The investigation that I instructed Tim Davie to conduct is nearing completion, and I am returning to London to review the findings and, in the coming days, announce what action we will take.
"In the meantime, I have decided that it is 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.
"This gross lapse of taste by the performers and the production team has angered licence payers. I am determined that we satisfy them that any lessons will be learnt and appropriate action taken. 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."
A spokesman for the BBC Trust said that it had asked the director-general to report the findings of management's investigation and the actions he proposes to a special meeting of the Trust's editorial standards committee tomorrow on Thursday where Sir Michael Lyons will be present.
"The Trust expects to return to this issue again at its next editorial standards committee meeting on 6th November and its full Trust meeting on the 20th. However, the chairman will make a statement about the Trust's initial reactions before the end of this week."
Comments
in which case I'll be suspending my BBC viewing and will consider suspending my license fee payment in protest at this knee-jerk pandering to the illiberal minority.
they were naughty but surely responsibility lies with the editors / producers who passed it for broadcast.
The one who gave permission for it to air should be suspended too.
Agreed Johnny...what a ridiculous PC reaction this is... Something similar happened on BBC Three Counties Radio locally where two 'off the wall' presenters 'crossed the line.' If the Mail on Sunday hadn't reported this on their front page on Sunday, I daresay that the 18,000 complaints would be far fewer in number.... The whole thing has bene blown out of proportion, and irresponsibly reported, culminating in a complete overreaction.
*** - 29/10/2008
I just heard it and i thought it was quite funny........
Ridiculous – only 2 complaints from those who actually heard the broadcast, trial by media... and to think that Gordon Brown actually mentioned this in Parliament – are there not more important things for our Government to be considering?
Good shouts by the above. People should get over it. They made a bad joke. They have apologised for it and they have been punished for it. Why does Gordon Brown need to be involved? It's all just ridiculous. Just another example of small things in this country being blown out of proportion, massively. Georgina Baillie should however be compensated for the work she has missed dancing for the Satanic Sluts ha ha great name for a dance troop.
Sure it was bad taste, but the show was pre-recorded, so what the f***k were the Producer Director and Editor doing. They are responsible for content!!!!
How about suspending them - firing them would be better.
So then... if us, the licence payers choose who goes on television and who says what then i believe that these two talented entertainers SHOULD be on the BBC and if i refuse to watch the BBC then does that mean i also dont have to pay the fee!? NO... so i am going to lose two of my favourite presenters because of Manuelle from Fawly Towers and his whinging Grand-Daughter.... It is an absolute FARCE!!! And if that blinking wobble-jawed thing we have to call a Prime Minister is also going to get involved then is he going to call a referendum over this!? The BBC should get over itself... stop being so PC and just stick to making television programmes and the PM should stick with trying to run the country!!!
Get over it. Hardly surprising that a comedian like Brand does something that's not 'by the book' ... pushing the boundary of what's acceptable is how society evolves and our morals change. Plus, she's already admitted that she had slept with him!
Jonnie - 29/10/2008
Enough is enough. I don't pay to listen to this kind of rubbish, it's beyond humiliation. Try to think how you would feel if you received a call live on air with Russel Brand saying 'i have slept with your daughter', it's totally disgraceful. Ross is paid £8 million in a 2-3 year contract and I for one am fed up with this rubbish and it's time these 'celebrities' realised they cannot be protected by their fame and wealth. It's not about the press, it's the simple facts and if i called up my client and made the same comments I would be out of a job tomorrow.
I agree this has been blown out of the water... However if you insulted my granddaughter/family in front of millions of people I'd hunt you down.... that's for sure
Get a grip BBC - can't they fire the people responsible for Green Green Grass instead?
g - 29/10/2008
i find it more offensive that people everywhere still keep spelling Russell with one 'L'
This is ridiculous. They both apologisied and learnt their lesson. I don't think that there is need to take it this far.
On the other side I did not know until this morning that Russell did actually have intimate contact with the grand-daughter. This makes it a bit worse and I can see where the outrage is coming from. When I thought that it was a made up story it didn't seem that bad, but since it is true I think that it was very inaproppriate.
So what if said Grand-daughter did have intimate association with Gods Gift - it's her choice - maybe she'll live to regret it when she finds out the difference between him and a real man - it still doesn't excuse what they did to Andrew Sachs.
Trial by Daily Mail is obviously galling, but...on the upside, Ross will no longer haunt our screens. It's time for new blood. His interviewing style is an uncomfortable marriage of obsequiousness, and desperate attempts to outrage. I'm not surprised he fell under the influence of a more talented comedian \(I didn't, of course, hear the show); he should suffer the consequences, as much as he hoped to enjoy the benefits, of being led by someone else. As for Brand, does he not actually have enough material that he's forced to stoop to this kind of boring sensationalising? For some reason I thought he was talented, though in truth his best moments \(haven't seen much) were Big Brother's Little Brother - commentating, as it were, rather than initiating.
no respect for your seniors these days...
Totally out of proportion, and utterly ridiculous. Typical Brits jumping on the band wagon. It was a JOKE. As soon as the media get involved, everyone wants a piece of the action. Christ, everyone knows Russell Brand speaks before he thinks, we accept it and get over it. I have no doubt it wasn't intentionally offensive. PLUS, his granddaughter is clearly a hoe and will love the publicity. The "Wannabie Page 3 model" has admitted sleeping with Brand in the past \(so he wasn't lying) and as a result of all this drama has unfortunately had to cut her world tour short with her well respected dancing group, The Satanic Sluts. Travesty.
Sachs is the only person in the situation I think could be upset by the comment, but he's a grown man. I'm sure he'll get over it.
I agree with the early comments here - this has been blown out of proportion and surely the BBC producers should all be sacked as they were the ones to give it the the go ahead. Ross and Brand are known for being near the knuckle and those of us who like them probably like them for this reason. I for one will miss Friday NIght with Jonathan Ross.
So Gordon Brown now decides who works for the BBC? I hope Thompson gets a few million on the license fee for this - he's capitulated to the Daily Mail and a Prime Minister desperate to boost his ratings. Of course, they will both probably be back on air as soon as this has blown over. Look, Jonathan old boy, you know how it is... if they pay your wages, they can also sack you. Ross should be sacked anyway - he's crap.
I agree with most of the comments above and include this: 18,000 complaints \(however impressive that sounds) is tiny, almost insignificant when stated in percentage terms \(about 0.3% if you compare it with the 5.1 million viewers who tuned into Spooks, for example!)
Erm, is Andrew Sachs, or anyone else for that matter not a trifle bit offended that his grandaughter, Georgina is parading all over the newspapers in bras and suspenders and a whip in an array of suggestive poses whilst simultaneously branding Russell as disgusting?
I mean, it's a little but weird isn't it? The contradictory messages are making me all confused. Also, I would do absolutely anything to not pay the tv ransom so if anyone can see a way to use this to the payers advantage I would be pleased to hear it!
While this whole thing seems to be about old BBC standards, is it also about which side of the following divide you fall on: do you hate Russ-Ross or do you love Russ-Ross? It's difficult to tread a middle line about people who are prepared to use someone so badly just so one of them can get back at a tittle-tattling ex-girlfriend \(and we can all conjure up images of our grandparents coming under such an attack in the cross-fire). Actually, it may not be about the BBC or Russ-Ross or Georgina. Is it about whether it's OK to abuse someone over the telephone? Yes, I think this form of verbal happy slapping is what it's really about. Then it's about whether you use the communication channels of your job to broadcast your abuse to millions. Then it's about using your employer['s facilities and wasting their money and affecting their reputation and what that employer should do about it. Think of it that way. Think of what would happen to you in your job if you did it. Get over it? Not likely.
Brand is a twat. Sack him.
Aroo - 29/10/2008
Time to get in line.
i think the wrong people have got in trouble.the individuals that should get the stick are the individuals who agreed to air the programme.it is not the comedians fault in my opinon .they do wat they think is funny it is up to the network to say we wont air that because its too much
*** - 30/10/2008
i completely agree with you Jean- Paul and i like the comment about granddaughter getting comp for burlesque work she missed. jokers.
"Intimate contact"! "Intimate association"! Almost as absurdly PC as the BBC! Totally agree that the two show-offs that are Brand and Ross pushed the limit slightly but this is precisely why the BBC employed them. They shouldn't have gone that far \(they are full-grown men after all) but it did at which point it should/could have been edited and then aired. They could then have had their wrists discreetly wrapped and no-one would have even have been the wiser.
Not a fan of Brand or Ross, but this has been overblown. I can't BELIEVE Brown thought he had to comment on it, what a fool.
Comments
johnny rambleton - 29/10/2008
in which case I'll be suspending my BBC viewing and will consider suspending my license fee payment in protest at this knee-jerk pandering to the illiberal minority. they were naughty but surely responsibility lies with the editors / producers who passed it for broadcast.
Nicola Lucas - 29/10/2008
The one who gave permission for it to air should be suspended too.
Steven Gordon-Wilson - 29/10/2008
Agreed Johnny...what a ridiculous PC reaction this is... Something similar happened on BBC Three Counties Radio locally where two 'off the wall' presenters 'crossed the line.' If the Mail on Sunday hadn't reported this on their front page on Sunday, I daresay that the 18,000 complaints would be far fewer in number.... The whole thing has bene blown out of proportion, and irresponsibly reported, culminating in a complete overreaction.
*** - 29/10/2008
I just heard it and i thought it was quite funny........
Don Macinnes - 29/10/2008
Ridiculous – only 2 complaints from those who actually heard the broadcast, trial by media... and to think that Gordon Brown actually mentioned this in Parliament – are there not more important things for our Government to be considering?
John-Paul Burke - 29/10/2008
Good shouts by the above. People should get over it. They made a bad joke. They have apologised for it and they have been punished for it. Why does Gordon Brown need to be involved? It's all just ridiculous. Just another example of small things in this country being blown out of proportion, massively. Georgina Baillie should however be compensated for the work she has missed dancing for the Satanic Sluts ha ha great name for a dance troop.
Gelos Grapos - 29/10/2008
Sure it was bad taste, but the show was pre-recorded, so what the f***k were the Producer Director and Editor doing. They are responsible for content!!!! How about suspending them - firing them would be better.
John Mason - 29/10/2008
So then... if us, the licence payers choose who goes on television and who says what then i believe that these two talented entertainers SHOULD be on the BBC and if i refuse to watch the BBC then does that mean i also dont have to pay the fee!? NO... so i am going to lose two of my favourite presenters because of Manuelle from Fawly Towers and his whinging Grand-Daughter.... It is an absolute FARCE!!! And if that blinking wobble-jawed thing we have to call a Prime Minister is also going to get involved then is he going to call a referendum over this!? The BBC should get over itself... stop being so PC and just stick to making television programmes and the PM should stick with trying to run the country!!!
Stuart Aplin - 29/10/2008
Get over it. Hardly surprising that a comedian like Brand does something that's not 'by the book' ... pushing the boundary of what's acceptable is how society evolves and our morals change. Plus, she's already admitted that she had slept with him!
Jonnie - 29/10/2008
Enough is enough. I don't pay to listen to this kind of rubbish, it's beyond humiliation. Try to think how you would feel if you received a call live on air with Russel Brand saying 'i have slept with your daughter', it's totally disgraceful. Ross is paid £8 million in a 2-3 year contract and I for one am fed up with this rubbish and it's time these 'celebrities' realised they cannot be protected by their fame and wealth. It's not about the press, it's the simple facts and if i called up my client and made the same comments I would be out of a job tomorrow.
Ricky Harewood - 29/10/2008
I agree this has been blown out of the water... However if you insulted my granddaughter/family in front of millions of people I'd hunt you down.... that's for sure
Susan Billinge - 29/10/2008
Get a grip BBC - can't they fire the people responsible for Green Green Grass instead?
g - 29/10/2008
i find it more offensive that people everywhere still keep spelling Russell with one 'L'
Eliska Dobson - 29/10/2008
This is ridiculous. They both apologisied and learnt their lesson. I don't think that there is need to take it this far.
On the other side I did not know until this morning that Russell did actually have intimate contact with the grand-daughter. This makes it a bit worse and I can see where the outrage is coming from. When I thought that it was a made up story it didn't seem that bad, but since it is true I think that it was very inaproppriate.
Anne Warrington - 29/10/2008
So what if said Grand-daughter did have intimate association with Gods Gift - it's her choice - maybe she'll live to regret it when she finds out the difference between him and a real man - it still doesn't excuse what they did to Andrew Sachs.
Gabriel Kemlo - 29/10/2008
Trial by Daily Mail is obviously galling, but...on the upside, Ross will no longer haunt our screens. It's time for new blood. His interviewing style is an uncomfortable marriage of obsequiousness, and desperate attempts to outrage. I'm not surprised he fell under the influence of a more talented comedian \(I didn't, of course, hear the show); he should suffer the consequences, as much as he hoped to enjoy the benefits, of being led by someone else. As for Brand, does he not actually have enough material that he's forced to stoop to this kind of boring sensationalising? For some reason I thought he was talented, though in truth his best moments \(haven't seen much) were Big Brother's Little Brother - commentating, as it were, rather than initiating.
Bryan Marshall - 29/10/2008
no respect for your seniors these days...
Gordon Macmillan - 29/10/2008
@Gabriel Kemlo desperate outrage is spot on.
Naoise Ryan - 29/10/2008
Totally out of proportion, and utterly ridiculous. Typical Brits jumping on the band wagon. It was a JOKE. As soon as the media get involved, everyone wants a piece of the action. Christ, everyone knows Russell Brand speaks before he thinks, we accept it and get over it. I have no doubt it wasn't intentionally offensive. PLUS, his granddaughter is clearly a hoe and will love the publicity. The "Wannabie Page 3 model" has admitted sleeping with Brand in the past \(so he wasn't lying) and as a result of all this drama has unfortunately had to cut her world tour short with her well respected dancing group, The Satanic Sluts. Travesty. Sachs is the only person in the situation I think could be upset by the comment, but he's a grown man. I'm sure he'll get over it.
Kelly Farrell - 29/10/2008
I agree with the early comments here - this has been blown out of proportion and surely the BBC producers should all be sacked as they were the ones to give it the the go ahead. Ross and Brand are known for being near the knuckle and those of us who like them probably like them for this reason. I for one will miss Friday NIght with Jonathan Ross.
Joe Gill - 29/10/2008
So Gordon Brown now decides who works for the BBC? I hope Thompson gets a few million on the license fee for this - he's capitulated to the Daily Mail and a Prime Minister desperate to boost his ratings. Of course, they will both probably be back on air as soon as this has blown over. Look, Jonathan old boy, you know how it is... if they pay your wages, they can also sack you. Ross should be sacked anyway - he's crap.
Simon Kippin - 29/10/2008
SK
Stuart Hogg - 29/10/2008
I agree with most of the comments above and include this: 18,000 complaints \(however impressive that sounds) is tiny, almost insignificant when stated in percentage terms \(about 0.3% if you compare it with the 5.1 million viewers who tuned into Spooks, for example!)
Jennifer Short - 29/10/2008
Erm, is Andrew Sachs, or anyone else for that matter not a trifle bit offended that his grandaughter, Georgina is parading all over the newspapers in bras and suspenders and a whip in an array of suggestive poses whilst simultaneously branding Russell as disgusting? I mean, it's a little but weird isn't it? The contradictory messages are making me all confused. Also, I would do absolutely anything to not pay the tv ransom so if anyone can see a way to use this to the payers advantage I would be pleased to hear it!
Mark Griffiths - 29/10/2008
While this whole thing seems to be about old BBC standards, is it also about which side of the following divide you fall on: do you hate Russ-Ross or do you love Russ-Ross? It's difficult to tread a middle line about people who are prepared to use someone so badly just so one of them can get back at a tittle-tattling ex-girlfriend \(and we can all conjure up images of our grandparents coming under such an attack in the cross-fire). Actually, it may not be about the BBC or Russ-Ross or Georgina. Is it about whether it's OK to abuse someone over the telephone? Yes, I think this form of verbal happy slapping is what it's really about. Then it's about whether you use the communication channels of your job to broadcast your abuse to millions. Then it's about using your employer['s facilities and wasting their money and affecting their reputation and what that employer should do about it. Think of it that way. Think of what would happen to you in your job if you did it. Get over it? Not likely.
Paul Waller - 29/10/2008
Brand is a twat. Sack him.
Aroo - 29/10/2008
Time to get in line.
zivai anesu - 29/10/2008
i think the wrong people have got in trouble.the individuals that should get the stick are the individuals who agreed to air the programme.it is not the comedians fault in my opinon .they do wat they think is funny it is up to the network to say we wont air that because its too much
*** - 30/10/2008
i completely agree with you Jean- Paul and i like the comment about granddaughter getting comp for burlesque work she missed. jokers.
Tom Harold - 30/10/2008
"Intimate contact"! "Intimate association"! Almost as absurdly PC as the BBC! Totally agree that the two show-offs that are Brand and Ross pushed the limit slightly but this is precisely why the BBC employed them. They shouldn't have gone that far \(they are full-grown men after all) but it did at which point it should/could have been edited and then aired. They could then have had their wrists discreetly wrapped and no-one would have even have been the wiser.
David Llewelyn-Jones - 30/10/2008
Not a fan of Brand or Ross, but this has been overblown. I can't BELIEVE Brown thought he had to comment on it, what a fool.
Pikum .com - 31/10/2008