Andrew Billen: Ross needs to grow up | BBC Newsbeat editor defends broadcast BBC statement in full | Transcript: the offensive calls | Comment Central: what the media is saying | Do 18,000 complaints matter? | Sachs' granddaughter: cruel Brand and Ross

Russell Brand tonight resigned as a host on BBC Radio 2 amid the ongoing controversy over their prank phone calls to the veteran Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs.

The comedian stepped down from his show hours after the corporation announced it had suspended him along with Jonathan Ross.

Former heroin addict Brand has presented his programme since November 2006 and is thought to be paid more than £200,000 a year by the BBC. Brand said in a statement that he took “complete responsibility” for the incident and that he got “caught up in the moment”.

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If Ross ever hoped to succeed Wogan at breakfast, he can dream on

Andrew Billen, chief television critic

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• Brand and Ross: BBC statement in full

• Transcript: 'offensive' calls

• The Times leading article

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• Comment Central: do 18,000 complaints matter?

• POLL: has the BBC lost the plot?

Speaking at the door of his home in Kilburn, north London Mr Sachs tonight said: “I respect his decision. I hope he moves forward, I really hope he does.

“It might be a big turning point in his life.”

The BBC had announced that both men's shows would be taken off air while an internal BBC investigation into the incident was carried out.

BBC Director General Mark Thompson has also apologised to Mr Sachs for the calls which he said had caused “severe offence”. He said it was inappropriate for the pair to broadcast until the investigation was complete.

“This gross lapse of taste by the performers and the production team has angered licence payers," said Mr Thompson.

“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.”

In his statement Mr Brand said he had had an apology accepted by Mr Sachs.

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