On a proper commercial station the sponsor would have the option of pulling its support. But as in so many ways, here the BBC gets to stifle freedom of speech through its wall of free money. It's an outrageous way for a democracy to behave

John Ledbury, Kings Lynn, England

The BBC is the best broadcaster in the UK bar none.I find Srictly Come Dancing deeply offensive but I'm not complaining or asking for my licence fee back. They made a joke, offended a couple of people and apologised - get over it

Shouldn't Cameron be concerned with important things (economy etc)?

Robert, Greenock, UK

After paying with great reluctance my BBC tax this year, I can be confident it was for the last time.

Colin Soames, London,

Hilarious that so many people say "don't like it ? don't listen " . This isn't a matter of taste . Would you advise those who have been mugged not to go outside then ? Get some standards people , just because you think abuse is funny (seemingly at others expense) doesn't make it so .

Benzo, Nr Chelmsford,

We know the drill. When the BBC finally completes its "enquiry", editorial processes will be tightened and someone might even get told off. Meanwhile these two idiots will continue to get paid millions - because there are millions more idiots out there who actually like this kind of rubbish

David, Epsom, UK

will the bbc stop the russell brand show on bbc radio 2, saturdays??
i hope not, its funnier than anything else on the radio, only a joke anyway, and even before the show it says "this show contains adult humour that may not be suitable for some listeners." they warned them, what else do they want

George Coates, southend, england

Ross and Brand comedians - don't make me laugh!

Phil, Helensburgh,

I cannot see the attraction of Jonathan Ross (or Russell Brand) and the enormous sums of money he earns cause me to think that those in charge of the such matters at the BBC have completely lost the plot. He is neither entertaining or amusing - just embarrassingly poor. Please get rid of him!

Gina, Channel Islands, UK

It is totally unacceptable for officials to behave in this fashion. Any other public employee would be sacked for gross misconduct.They are second rate comedians who believe their so called humour is acceptable - well not on my licence fees it's not - Andrew Sachs made us all laugh not cringe.

Neil, Cardiff, Wales

Time to dissolve the BBC they are not public broadcasters,but are qualitatively on a par with a rank commercial broadcaster.How people can keep their jobs after this non-amusing decable is beyond me.There are too many early 30 somethings working at the BBC.These staff know little about quality.

david, london, uk

Yes the calls were offensive to Andrew Sachs. But Brand and Ross sincerely apologised and clearly regretted the comments. This witchhunt has to end. Some of us (license fee payers) want our comedy a little more cutting edge and for just two hours every Saturday we get it. Don't like it? Don't listen

Nick, Leeds,

The abolition of the BBC is long overdue. How much more dumbing down will it take for the Government to realise that?

Ian Hutton, Bury St Edmunds,

The UK is a brutish society and this is just the latest example. The US was smart enough to realise that Brand is not funny and just a fake. He could never cut it in a country that produces Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Frasier, Family Guy, South Park Larry Saunders.Outside of the UK he's nothing

KR, Cap Ferrat, FRANCE

If you have no sense of humour then don't listen. Do politicians have nothing better to do with their time at the minute - like having a go at sorting out the economy?

A, Nottingham,

In this day and age it is ridiculous to pay license poll tax and keep this outdated edifice. Privatise BBC to make it a subscription only medium and let ofcom to monitor it. A few days ago the BBC chairman was saying how it is a sin for the BBC to share the license fee and how wonderful it is.

gary smith, LONDON,

Hasn't anyone made a formal complaint yet to the police in London W1? What has happened goes well beyond the need for an apology; it deserves a court appearance.

Barrie Redfern, Zdole, Slovenia

Ross ,Brand ,Ramsay et al what a sad bunch of non talents.BBC should sack them now & set an example of what broadcasting standards should be.

Joe, Manchester,

Oh for heaven's sakes. Slow news day much? I heard there were some elections coming up. Can we concentrate on the REAL issues of the day please?

Rebecca, London,

The fact that these "comedians" have been tolerated for so long shows how our society is immune to vulgarity, and our culture dumbed down. I hope this latest incident might bring us all to our senses, and remind the great british public that such offensive behavior is quite simply unacceptable.

Andrew, Milton Keynes,

What a lot of fuss over nothing. This has just been bigged up by our "moral" media (sic). They have both apologised in writing to Andrew Sachs so just let it go. Its just another excuse for the tut tutting Daily Mail brigade to have a go.

Mel, Herts,

I don't know why Jonathon is supposed to be paid so much, it's about time something like this happened to take him down a peg or two, even when he interviews anybody it's all about Jonathon Ross, he so loves himself and I begrudge paying a license to watch this sort of programme.

Irene Oxley, Dudley,West Mids, England

I don't really care if they are sacked or not. However, I will NOT be paying their wages via the TV TAX. If everyone refuses to pay the BBC for the stuff they spew out, then the continual sleaze and bias can be supported by any subscription or advertising revenue they can obtain.

Paul C, Middlesbrough, England

For goodness sake this was a bad taste joke that wasn't funny, end of. The girl is a public performer not a shrinking violet! It is noticeable that almost all the criticism has highlighted the huge salaries that Brand and Ross get.
If that's your gripe then say so.

David Close, doncaster,

These comments show we have two types of people - those who think abuse is OK if it is funny and don't know where to draw the line and those who recognise that there are boundaries which shouldn't be crossed. Kenny Everett was sacked for far less offensiveness and he had real talent.

Peter Ryder, Middlewich, UK

How long do you think it will be before these two filthy-minded bullies start making 'jokes' about how they've managed to get away with it? I'll give it a couple of weeks. Sack them now to get the point across that this behaviour is just not acceptable to most people.

Maggie, Poole,

Had we been discussing the same behaviour from a couple of 'youths' on a bus or a train, many would have been calling for action to be taken against the youths concerned ... and quite rightly.
The only way to truly punish these two is to cancel a show or two and the money they would have earned.

Kriss Aitch, Portsmouth,

Desperate politicians getting onto the bandwagon! I don't see what the big furore is about. It was a joke in bad taste, but so what!

Michael, West Midlands,

I can't actually believe that some fools are actually calling for them to be sacked, let alone actually dismantling the BBC as i read from a few observers. Have you actually taken the time to think about what you are saying, or the position you are in to be saying that!?

Edward, London,

Get rid of them both and the people who hired them in the first place. This type of schoolboy prank is not what I pay my licence fee for.

Peter Hatton, St Ives, UK

If this had happened in the real world of work they would have been instantly dismissed. And rightly so. Once again we see that there is another way of behaviour - that of these worthless celebrities - that is tolerated and encouraged. Show some integrity and sack them both.

Roger Aubrey, Cardiff, UK

Yes, they do get paid well, but so do actors, sportsmen and musicians. If you draw crowds, and therefore profits, then you are entitled a good wage.

Edward, London,

But, most importantly, please, for the sake of your own integrity, don't latch on to an issue you believe to be degrading to our society, because you want to sound morally sound. You are not fooling anyone, only yourselves. If you really want to change things in society, join the council.

Edward, London,

Arrogance.
It isn't even comedy.

Jennie Simpkins, Plymouth, England

Why is this even news? Anyone want to focus on the tens of thousands of people currently fleeing for their lives in the Congo - barely even reported by the national press, yet this is headline news. That's more offensive, surely.


Get some perspective and a life people.

Sam, London, England

IT WAS A JOKE!!! One of which I found rather funny. Their job is to make people laugh, hense what they did. Learn to take a joke is what I say. There are pleanty of other comedians that are offensive...it just what happens, if you don't like it simply don't listen.

Jenny, Bournemouth, England

Brand/Ross

It is the cruelty and vulgarity that disgusts me. The BBC seems to have a wierd view of what is acceptable. I only hope they will reset their values and not attempt to spin it away .

Lionel Woodcock, Wimborne, UK

"If you don't like it don't listen" - I'm sorry but it's not OK. Why should I be paying my license fee to the BBC where they let offensive, vulgar so called 'stars' like Ross and Brand do whatever they like? I work in the public sector and if I did this, I'd get sacked. It's about time they did too

A Heywood, Edinburgh,

Listening to Radio 5 Live interview this afternoon - it came across as though the presenter/interviewer actually condoned this - amazing!

Also - there is a similar set of standards on display by the BBC here as there was/is in the banking fiasco - no one setting standards or maintaining them.

Charles Dowie, Epworth, UK

In fairness If you are listening to Brand's show, you are pretty much expecting that kind of humor anyway. So if Mr Sachs himself has accepted the apology's and isn't making a big fuss over it then what is to be gained from sacking anyone? i'd imagine that Ross will curb it now for a bit anyway.

Billie Wootton, Bracknell, England

SACK (and no compensation) these 2 VILE BULLIES! The police can then prosecute them for their criminal offence. End of story!

Allan, bristol, england

Ring ring, ring ring; Hi Grandad, ... erm my group could use some publicity. Would you mind pretending to be upset by that Russell Brand thing? It's bound to whip up plenty of 'offended from Tunbridge Wells' type stuff.

Certainly darling, no skin off my nose. Enjoy ....

Simon, London, United Kingdom

Everyone needs to just calm down. It was funny. No harm was done, they kept saying they were "trying" to make it better.

If you listen to a radio show that has Ross and Brand as presenters, tell me, what else do you expect?

They push comedy to the edge, don't like it, don't listen! Simple!

Katie, ashford, UK

Sack the big headed, over paid twerps.

david greaves, york, north yorkshire

I actually heard the broadcast and yeah it was a bit cheeky and an apology was required but its only a silly joke, nobody actually got hurt.... People should save their the energy for real issues!

tom, guildford,

Anybody got the statistics regarding how many people complained to the BBC regarding Andrew Sachs portrayal of a simpleton Spaniard in teh shocking series "Fawlty Towers" I mean come one there must have been thousands of Spanish people calling for his blood, not to mention the slighted German folk!

Mark, Melbourne, Oz

This matter isn't worthy of the media coverage or the self-righteous hysteria it has provoked. However this "joke" was in poor taste, and the BBC is at fault for letting smug, grossly overpaid presenters get away with such lazy, unintelligent and cheap humour - which isn't all that rare in any case

Helen, London,

Fire them. This kind of over payed arrogant performer is a anachronism in today's cash-strapped environment, bearing in mind it's taxpayers' money they get handed. The BBC could fund a lot more worthy projects with their salaries or the government could spend it on social housing. Get real, guys.

Rod McVey, Holywood, UK

Why have I just paid for my license again? Oh because I will go to court if I don't. Is Andrew Sachs upset? His Grand daughter? 10,000 people complained, dont watch it or listen to it then!!

Roy Fairgrieve, Chichester, uk

Appalling ! They should be charged with criminal offences - Obscene phonecall, offensive public behaviour, defamation of character... the list goes on. Never mind just sacking the pair, they should be prosecuted.

Ann Clarke, Swansea, U.K.

The fuss is not about two comedians trying to be funny (or, in the case of Julia from Bingley, actually being funny): it ia about two grown-ups leaving nasty messages on the phone of a 78-year old grandfather. Why should anyone have to put up with that, just because RB and JR think it's a hoot?

Simon, Richmond, England

The issue is not about listeners being offended by what Ross and Brand broadcast . It is about the BBC's lack of editorial control over what goes out over the airwaves in the name of Public Broadcasting. Andrew Sachs has done nothing to deserve such abuse. Sack the pair of them.

Barry, Wickford,

Personnally not too fussed about the comments, but Ross gets paid too much anyway. The bbc should use the opportunity to sack him and spend that money on nurturing some new talent. Let a commercial station have him. I am sure there are some excellent aspiring DJs out there who could do his job.

Adrian, London, England

ok they shouldn't have done what they did,and they have acknowledged that and both apologized.But to call them talentless is ridiculous-they are great entertainers and if they were taken of air I would be very disapointed.

Briony, kent,

It is about time that we put an end to this type of behaviour which has seeped into the very fabric of our society. We expect more of the BBC. Not only should Brand and Ross be sacked but so should the senior management who allowed this to be aired.

Chris, Eastbourne, UK

Obscene phone calls to 78-year old men is neither big, cleaver, edgy or whatever you want to call it. It is also certainly not public service broadcasting by any stretch of the imagination. I like both but they should be sacked. Whether or not it should have been shown is to be honest a sideshow.

Craig, Derby, England

The word "comedy" and the name Russell Brand should never be used in the affirmative anyway. The man is a pathetic excuse for a comedian - witless, dull and as personable as an angry bulldog. Comedians shouldn't need to be outrageous to be grab attention - humour does that.

Mike, Bristol, UK,

Guys like Ross and Brand have to behave like thoughtless ego-maniacs – it's their job. But the BBC is supposed to censor them – tax should not be used to offend decent people. On a day when BA has been fined again for corruption, I ask what's going on with our sense of decency?

james Wareham, Bath,

Ross should definitely be sacked from his tv/radio show where his guests are just side kicks to his ego. He is arrogant, crude and sexist - qualities that would not be acceptable in any work place so why is it acceptable at 'our' BBC. What a role model for his children!

Susan, Croydon, Surrey

Has anyone stopped to think why it took over 9 days for this incident to reach the public arena? I think it is totally laughable that people are judging what happened on a series of news reports that are over a week old and play clips out of context.

Lee , North Yorkshire,

Ross should definitely be sacked not only for this incident but for the infantile crudity he displays on his TV show. He is a very quick witted person and can be entertaining without the crudity. It's not at all clever or brave to say the 'F' word on the air. You be brave BBC and sack him!

Ray Cappi , Waterlooville, England

GET A GRIP for crying out loud - they are comediens that like to push things to boundary - big deal.

julia, Bingley,

Ross and Brand's belated apology shouldn't get them off the hook. They showed their true colours during this BBC radio show and should be sacked accordingly. A period in the wilderness reflecting on what they did may just do theirs, and the BBC's, sense of decency, a world of good.

Simon , London, UK

really! what a hullaballoo over nothing. Have those who are calling for their heads actually listened to the show? Russell brand is the best thing on Radio 2. I would rather listen to him than the blandness of Steve Wright or the cloyingness of Jeremy Vine.

Ellie, Perth,

I've listened to the podcast and to be honest in some situations it would be funny. However, Ross and Brand are not close friends with Sachs and as such had no right to do what they did. It was inappropriate. Sachs is an elderly gentleman and they showed a lack of respect and judgment as did the BBC

simon, London,

Come on people - get over it! Who cares, it was just banter. If you don't like it, don't listen.

I get more offended being told by Songs of Praise that I should be worshipping some deity and will go to Hell for my sins - now THAT is offensive tosh.

Dan, London,

Ron Atkinson, Frank McClintock and Rodney Marsh were sacked for innapropriate comments yet these 2 will get away without so much as a suspension or dressing down. The difference? They work for the BBC and the others worked for Sky or ITV. Clearly you can say what you like at the BBC. Sack them both.

Graham, London, UK

If you had been a listener to Brand's radio show you would have complained the second he started broadcasting on the air. So why complain now? Many teenagers and students speak like him, are you going to lodge complaints against the teens and students that do? I don't think so.

Josh, Hexham, UK

It was absolutely hilarious. I think Ross and Brand are immensely funny and I'm glad to see that the public is engaging with them.

Katy, Edinburgh,

Dan, petts wood -did u type that in a well light room surrounded by friends family and adoring lovers? As for Suki in London. Don't miss the point Mssrs Ross and Brand are of the age of criminal responsibility. It is not measured by who you work for or how much your paid. They abused someone 4 times

Ross, Aberdeen, UK

What they did is against the law. If Joe Bloggs did the same to Jane Doe, all Joe would have to say in court is that Ross and Brand got away with it so why prosecute me?

It's one law for the famous; another for the rest of us.

(See also Amy W, J Kidd etc versus some poor bloke re drugs)

Ellen, London,

People should calm down & relax, okay it was a little naughty but this is all getting blown completely out of proportion! I dare say the majority of 'out for blood' comments on here requesting they be sacked immediately are from real jobsworths who could probably do with the broom being removed! ;)

Ren, Cambridge, UK

its there job to make comedy, its up to the producers or editors or
whatever to cut what they dont like out. Ok sometimes they go
overboard fine, but it happens. Its like little britain, they had
loads of stuff that wasn't allowed on TV. They thought it was funny
but the BBC didn't, fine!

Paul Richards, Bristol,

When I read Stephen Perry's simpering letter I realised how far Britain had sunk. Why make any fuss over this broadcast, as it is quite obvious we're all going to hell on a handcart? What next, sexual intercourse on air?

Pete, Waddington, England

Just relax, like jane!. I listerned to the podcast days before this media surge, what a waste of time. It was just a funny joke.

Matt, Skipton,

i am not surprised about this at all, these so called comedians or whatever title they have, seem to say whatever they like, to people, they should use their influence and wealth to do good, instead of making remarks to people, its a type of bullying, .

jan, essex, gt britain

I would love to know how many of the 4,700 complaints came from listeners who didn't like what they were hearing.

I think it likely not many. Just the usual suspects complaining because the media is telling them that they should be outraged. This happens way too often.

Jamie Stogden, Newcastle,

We shouldn't be taxed to pay for these 2. Lets shut the BBC down and stimulate the economy by returning the license fees to the taxpayer.

Alan Craigie, Aberdeen, Scotland

They are both embarassing as presenters - I always cringe when I watch Ross, and Brand is not in the least bit entertaining either! The prank fell flat on it's face and I complained not because the prank was offensive to me but because they could get sacked and would rid the BBC of talentless squibs

Libby , Wanstead,

When aired - 2 complaints. Post media furore - 4,500?
Also it was a pre-record, which means the messages were received BEFORE the show went out. If Mr Sachs was THAT upset (and I fully accept he might have been) surely he could have stopped them airing them with a call to the BBC?
A book, you say?

Andy, London,

Anyone who is justifying this on the basis it was funny must also deem racist, sexist, homophobic and offensive jokes justifiable to be broadcast on the BBC, so long as some people find them amusing?

Tom, London,

Most of you people need to relax a little, seriously!

Jane, London,

Andrew Sachs is a gentleman with standards, that's something that Ross or Brand will ever become .Sack both of them now, we do not want their lewd and disgraceful remarks broadcast over the airwaves. Andrew should sue both of them for all of their money etc. and make sure they end up in the gutter

john mason, walsall, england

Ah whatever happened to freedom of speech?? What he said WAS factually correct, maybe the way he and Jonathan Ross expressed it wasn't appropriate. People pay £1.50 an min to hear comments like that over a phoneline don't they? Just accept the apology and lets all love each other!!

Stephen Perry, Manchester, UK

Hmm! are there any Stocks left ?

Sylusg, London,

These two need to get brought down a notch or two. They might be very popular and they are certainly highly paid but just now they are making a mockery of their employers, coleagues and the paying public. This prank would get a red card in any other job. What will it take to get these two fired?

James, London, UK

Anyone who calls George Bush a retarded cowboy can do what he likes in my book. They get paid the big bucks because they pull in millions of viewers, if you don't like them get back to focusing your energies on the housing slump or some other miserable agenda.

Jay Doherty, Glasgow, UK

What's the point of complaining? If you tune into Brand's show, you should know what to expect, if for not other reason than from his reputation.

And it's funny how the number of complaints rises the longer the story is reported in the media

Melinda, Birmingham, UK

Ross, a parent, pity his children. Brand, pity his parents'.

Mrs Cheryl Bush, Brixham,

As a male in his early twenties I can only say this: Get rid of them both. If the BBC are keeping these idiots because they think it appeals to ladies and gents my age they are wrong. Get rid of those two and official a formal apology to Mr Sachs.

Pull your boots on BBC.

Brendan Quantick, Liskeard, Great Britain

i think most people that complain are just jealous that brand gets so many women and they dont. They sit alone in a dark room with no friends typing away their bitterness.

dan, petts wood, UK

I say they should be sacked or suspended for what they did, they think they are above everyone else and can do what they like regardless who they offend. What they did was disgusting and very childish for men of their age.

Michael Rickards, Luton, bedfordshire

Ross & now Brand. Is Brand trying to be as lewd as Ross hoping to get as big a remuneration as he does? The pair of them want the "sack" Ross is full of innuendo in what ever he does, (he was scared to try it on with Grace however) Saturday morning is a pleasure when ross and his sycophant are off .

Mike, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs

The bbc seems to promote this strange return to "carry on" humour, with Little Britain dressing up as ladies and laughing at willys, and russell brand and jonathan Ross laughing about sex. Angus Deaton gets fired for something he does in private i.e. away from the license fee payers. NOT RIGHT

jack dunkley, nottingham , uk

Don't continue paying these pair with decent peoples license money. Don't come it with the old chestnut , "you have an off switch' It's getting that we will be switching off so often to avoid ross and his ilk that it won't be worth having a tv or radio.

Mike, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs

for u lot out there who says it is a joke - i hope someone does that to you about ur daughter or granddaughter abd u come home and listen to it - as well as hundreds of peope and friends and family of yours have to listen to it- no wonder our youngsters behave the way they do - no respect whatsoever

catherine, southampton, united kingdom

Please remove from my T.V!
They should be charged by Police.

John, Ediburgh, Scotland

I listened, most of the show was funny, this though was just something a teenager on a bus would do for kicks.

Brand's a 'libertine' so I expect it of him, but what's Ross's excuse? Funny or not people hear it and think it's acceptable, what If it was your relatives in question, still funny?

Lewis, London, UK

I've followed Russell Brand from the beginning - he used to be funny - now the 'success' has gone to his head and he's the unfunniest guy around. Time to show him the door.

James, London,

Regardless of it being Andrew Sachs, leaving a message on a 78 year old grandfathers mobile phone about having sex with his granddaughter is just plain wrong. Criminally so as one contributor has indicated. To do so four times and on national radio is utterly banal. They should be sacked

Malcolm Jeffreis, London,

These 2 are rich & succesful through their idiotic ramblings & ignorant manners. Lets have rid of them both & give others with real talent a go. All they know how to do well is ramble on about sex. We know you've 'got one' boys, now how about using your brains, it's @ the top end of you!

Val, Halfiax, W Yorks

Hmmm, didn't Sachs play an "idiot Spanish waiter" on Farty Towels? That got poked in the eye, hit on the head and verbally abused in virtually every episode? And generally debased the Spanish race? And now someone has poked a bit of fun at him? I've always found what goes around comes around.

Jog Dial, London,

What I find unacceptable is the fact the program was pre-recorded - whoever is reponsible for approving it before showing has sunk as low as these two despicable 'comedians' - and should be sacked too....

Jane, London,

Both Brand and Ross deserve to be sacked. The problem is they think they are above the law, and because of who they are they can get away with anything.

if the BBC has any decency left it should act immediately.

Tony Shelley, Leicester, UK

So what's to investigate?

Play the tape!

Sack the pair of them.

R Bingham, Lauzun, France

I agree with Yvonne, as a regular listener to BBC radio 2, I choose not to listen to J ross or Brand as they are monkeys put in power by clowns. Please can we bring some decency back to our nation and chop the vile that comes from their mouths and the money that goes in their pockets?

peter, singapore, singapore

Sack Ross
never employ Brand again
Sack the producer
And if possible fine all three for gross misconduct

Megnom, Bournemouth, U K

I've never liked Russell Brand....talentless, pointless, annoying cretin that he is so.....no big surprises about this appalling behaviour but Jonathan Ross?.............I'm just gutted because I now have to agree that he's a big diddy.....I've lost all respect for him as a broadcaster & human being

Sharon O'Donnell, Glasgow, Scotland

These two so-called comedians are just a couple of jerks who are paid enormous fees for bullying and abusing a member of the public - and in his private capacity, Andrew Sachs is just a member of the public like the rest of us. The BBC should act and sack them both - this isn't funny.

Jack, Norwich, England

Is this really the sort of behaviour we should expect from bbc presenters? quite honestly im utterly disgusted by the antics of this dubious pair, frankly im surprised criminal charges are not being brought against them. Are the police not involved in this already, and if not, why not?

S Shepherd, hampshire, England

How can I avoid paying my licence fee for such unsolicited rubbish? It is an absolute disgrace. ITV nor Channel 4 would not have got away with this.

Allan Ashworth, York, UK

I heard the broadcast & it was very amusing. Ross & Brand weren't being malicious, they were mocking themselves as much as anyone. The 'obscene' excerpts have been taken completely out of context & seized upon by the knee jerk crowd & those with other agendas (anti licence fee etc). Ridiculous.

Steve, Plymouth, UK

This story may be blown out of proportion and yes, there has been worse on TV in the past. But I suspect that this incident has become a trigger and people who have been unhappy with previous TV and Radio but said nothing before have finally been prompted to say something - that's the case with me.

David, Matlock, Derbyshire

JR & RB should be sacked, they overstepped the mark of decency. As a regular listener to Radio 2 I will not listen to either of their programmes, Brand's programme is particularly distasteful, not at all suitable for a relaxing evening. BBC get back to interesting, uplifting programmes.

Yvonne Keevans, Chipping Norton, Oxon

They should be sacked. Their behaviour was absolutely disgusting. These are grown adults are they not?
The controller who chose to air this segment should also be dismissed.
There is no excuse for this - perhaps they feel their popularity makes them exempt from any repercussions. I don't.

Fred, Oxford, UK

Margaret, Toronto, would you be of the same opinion if this had been directed at your family and broadcast all over the world?

Miranda, Edinburgh,

I laughed so hard. it was FUNNY. I was sitting on the bus listening to the podcast... and people staring at me as i laughed out loud! Certainly cheered me up on the way to work anyway. it was comedy. lighten up people! you don't have to listen to russell Brand - you kinda know what your gonna get.

suki, London,

Fire them! Unacceptable.

Ad, Bath,

ofcom to probe lewd brand...!?!?
ha ha, brilliant. at least the times still has a sense of humour

John, Chester, UK

It's time Jonathan Ross & Russell Brand were taken off our screens altogether, I object to paying my license fee to fund their high salaries. I would never watch/listen to the drivel they spew out and cannot understand the people who do. They both deserve to be sacked.

Ann, Llantwit Fardre,

If I were Mr Sachs and felt very strongly, then I would go to the police and have them charged for making indecent phone calls. After all - joke or not - it is still against the law, and if these two 'jokers' want to break the law, then let them do it without my licence fee please!

Sue, Hartlepool, UK

I did not hear the full broadcast so I'm a bit confused as to why the target was Andrew Sachs, an elderly and harmless person. Where is the biting humour in that? If it had been someone who was asking for public humiliation then I could have seen the relevence but at the moment I can see none.

david, kettering, northants

This is not a fuss over nothing. The UK in 2008 is a violent, nasty society. The deterioration of society has flourished because people do not speak out. It is time to start pointing out that for a society to be a decent place to live in, there must be limits and respect.

S.C. Huldig, London,

Yes sack them - they are a talentless pair of twits anyway. I heard Brand's apology and it was very insincere.

Jacqueline, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire

I don't think Jonathan or Russell should be sacked. Both presenters are hugely popular entertainers who made a terrible mistake, which was prerecorded so should never have been broadcast. They have both appologised so the matter should be dropped to avoid further embarrassment to Mr Sachs' family.

Delane Morrison, Drumoak, Scotland

In the UK it is an offence to use that kind of language on the telephone, why has no one suggested using existing legislation to prosecute them?
£18million a year for a radio brodcaster with a speech inpediment? No further comment.

Robert Hitchcock, Redditch, England

What more could be expected from the talentless Brand? Both he an wossy should be ashamed of themselves.

W Smith, Manchester,

"Complaints over the antics of Brand and Ross now stand at more than 4,500."

I'm surprised they had that many listeners.

Mark , Camberley, UK

They fired the much more talented Angus Deayton for having an unsuitable, but purely private, life-style, why are these two morons still working for them (or should I say us, since we own the Beeb)? And if it's pre-recorded, where's the oversight?

KR, Stockport,

As soon as either of these two come on Radio or Television I switch off. BBC Please note!.

Steve Smith, St Ives , Cambdigeshire

I've never laughed so hard in my life.

Sense of Humour Present, Brighton, UK

I wonder how many of the people making the 4,500 complaints actually heard the show. Yes, it was offensive but it was also funny and both have apologised, I hope that this story doesn't escalate any further.

Charles, London,

I am not a great fan of Mr Brand, but I think this is all a little excessive. I was listening to Radio 2 at the time this show was broadcast, and recall thinking "that's a bit far." That said, they've apologised - what more can they do? Does the public want blood?!

Christopher Crichton-Rankin, Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire, UK

They're paid a great deal of money to do a professional job - they abused their position. Sack them.

Micky T, Edinburgh, Scotland

Well the BBC fired that presenter of 'Have I got News for you' for taking cocaine. Illegal but common in the entertainment world, and harmless to others. Ross and Brand have done much worse, by abusing and insulting a 78 year old man over the phone. so where's the justice?

andrew, cirencester,

I can't believe the coverage for what was a very funny series of phone calls. Accepting that they should have been cut by the show's producer + an off air apology, it's hardly fair to blame Brand and Ross when that's what the BBC pay them a small forture for. Let's get over it and move on!

Nick, Glos, UK

I heard that these were recordings and was not a live broadcast. So who is really in the wrong?
Yes Brand & Ross were wrong to say such things but they have apologised, but the BBC aired the recording, they should take full responsibility and stop wasting our license fee on utter rubbish.

LD, London, UK

I agree with Margaret.

Al Obertelli, Blackpool,

This was not amusing it bordered on malicious. The programme was not live, but recorded a couple of days before it went on air. Apart from Brand and Ross being disciplined, the programme's editor and producer should be held accountable as well. Mr. Sachs, 78, should sue.

Irene, Warwick,

This story has been blown completely out of proportion. Far worse has been aired on TV in the past without such a public outcry. I do not condone the messages they left on Sachs' answerphone, but this is ridiculous.

Thomas Devonshire, Stourbridge, UK

I think it is astonishing that the programme was pre-recorded and then approved for broadcast.

Chris Dyer, Southampton,

I think the joke was more a slight on Brand's reputation.

And lets not forget IS WAS A JOKE! When did this country loose its sense of homour? The Beeb highered Brand knowing what hes like, thinking that things like this wouldnt come out of the effervescent young fellows mouth was stupid.

Harry, Somerset,

this is not the first time either of these two self serving clowns
have indulged in personal sexual fantasies while on air.what we need is a mass sacking of all bbc presenters who are amoral and an end to me,me,me television

jr, glasgow, uk

What an example these two have set for the youth of today ? It is obviously acceptable and funny to make abusive phone calls and the BBC call that entertainment. Is this what we pay a license fee for ?. The BBC need to take firm action , apologies are unacceptable ,SACK both of them immediately.

Rob Pilsbury, Oldbury,

I seem to remember that Mr Sachs was part of a team that provided memorable entertainment for a whole generation. I am not sue what Messrs Ross and Brand's claim to fame is apart from making obsene phone calls in the name of 'comedy', sorry, but who's laughing?

Mr R Taylor, Milton Keynes, Bucks

The hip/trendy/clueless BBC execs ought to reconsider their desperate efforts to appeal to the "youth" market at all costs. They seem to assume this means everything must be crude and dumbed down to the lowest possible level. Why not leave that crap to ITV and try focusing on quality instead?

Chris K, Cheltenham, UK

Yet again the BBC allow Jonathan Ross to get away with his obcene behaviour. Why is this so? I have been an avid listener to Radio 2 and a loyal viewer of BBC for many years but cannot condone this behaviour any longer. Why should we have to pay a high license fee to listen to filth
Sack them!!

Phil Burns, Harrogate, UK

I've always liked Brand & Ross, but feel this was way below the belt. Comments like that showed such disrespect for Andrew Sachs, who has done absolutely nothing to deserve it. Its not just Andrew they would have humiliated & hurt, but his whole family. Totally inappropriate behaviour!!

Toni, Wolverhampton,

The only reason they have not been sacked is because the legal department is worried what it will cost to get rid of these hideously overpaid, moderately talented, egomaniacs. BBC has created a rod for its own back with its blinkered star system.

M Richardson, london,

It's difficult to see who has suffered from this. Not Ms Baillie, whose troupe of “sexiest depraved jezebels” is now enjoying more publicity than they could ever have dreamt of. And what grandfather wouldn't want to see the career of their beloved grandchild flourish through such media interest?

Ronnie Wibbley, Leighton Buzzard, UK

I join the many thousands who condemn these overpaid so-called comedians - neither make me laugh but rather cringe - they get paid ridiculous sums of money getting cheap laughs from both sexual innuendoes and sexual jibes

Suggest the BBC get them off our television screens

Bob, Edenbridge, England

4,500 complaints. How many even heard the show? All this mock furore is detracting from the real scandal of the BBC; John Motson and Bruce Forsyth STILL have jobs! It's a national disgrace!

Chris, Worthing, England

It makes uncomfortable viewing - It's not funny, but REALLY school playground kiddishness. I used like J Ross's humour but on this occasion it's rubbish. SACK OFF JONATHAN!

Isabelle, Richmond,

Hmmm...a massive controversy? Just as a new series of Ponderland is about to start airing? Who'd have guessed?

BC, London, England

Do we get the "entertainers" we deserve? Vacuous presenters like Ross and Brand are simply showing us how shallow and insensitive we have all become - well, not me, obviously!

Francis Kirkham, Crediton, UK

Just a question, not a judgement either way but:

If this behaviour is "unacceptable" as the BBC says then don't they have to reprimand or sack Brand and Ross?

If they don't surely they're "accepting" the behaviour?

Richard Pickup, Wakefield, UK

Ross gets paid how much for this bilge?
The BBC should react to the credit crunch by allowing both these two to fend for themselves in the real world rather than pampering to their puerile and frankly unacceptable antics

elvis, Amsterdam, Holand

MP's calling for them to be fired? For a hoax call that essentially hurt nothing but one mans feelings?
How many MP's have been fired for using taxpayers money to fund their extravagent second homes?
Get a grip on reality. All this hype over nothing.

T Jeanes, London,

They should be sacked. If they worked for any commercial company they would have been dismissed for gross misconduct. Not only did they commit a criminal offence, but they had the blessing of the management. Something is wrong here... Apologies are not enough.

regina, Treignac, France

Sack them! British standards for broadcasting have been dropping for years. In a week when we will get the result of a murder involving violent sex, it is time to say no more to this sort of material.

Richard, Plymouth,

Is it any wonder that standards are slipping and the language of gutter is now commonplace utterance. Sack Brand, Ross AND whilst we're at it, Gordon Ramsay for his single-handed sucess at bringing the F-word into everyday parlance.

trevor morton, Poole, Dorset

what a lot of fuss about nothing

Margaret, Toronto, Canada

Quite obviously this is unacceptable behaviour. In all other employment arenas and disciplines accountability lies where it falls. These grossly overpaid and loutish performers should pay the penalty for their stark breache of acceptable standards and forefeit their employment with the BBC.

Gary Stapleton, Ely, UK

Following such disgraceful and childish behaviour I think Ross & Brand should be taken off air with immediate effect.

Mrs V Saggs, Bletchley, Bucks

They should both be fired forthwith. No enquiry needed.

W Hampson, Bristol, Avon

This is now getting totally out of control on the back of media coverage. YES it was wrong, YES it has hurt individuals who do not deserve it they have acted with integrity over this. Russell and Jonathan should both apologise sincerely, remember their shows are risky. SORRY is an amazing word.

John Gregory, Uttoxeter,

Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand? They have got way too big for their boots! This incident shows how low they are prepared to stoop; they think they're untouchable. An apology means nothing from them. They've shown that they're past their sellby date - the public have had enough.
Get rid of them!

Sue Knight, ickenham,

My mother would have called these people "low".

Kevin Straw, Leicester,