This incident has been blown out of proportion. If this much energy was put into solving our knife crime problem we'd have a solution by now.
Leave Jonathan Ross alone.

Julie , Oxford,

Though I never liked his shows, today I respect him for taking the rap with dignity, appoligising and resigning with grace. I only wish that our politicians show dignity, show remorse and resign when they slip up rather than attempt to brazen it out.

raj, harrow, uk

Have people got absolutely nothing better to worry about than this? The level of hysteria surrounding this incident is pathetic. Of course it was a crude and unimaginative joke and an apology should have been issued but really....stop pretending to be outraged it's boring!

Kris, Liverpool, England

Here's hoping some good will come from this sorry story. Two of the BBC's most overrated stars show their true light. Neither is funny , both are horrendously self satisfied - they both seem to regard smutty innuendo as a substitute for talent and wit. Good riddance to them both.

Kevin Miller, Tonbridge, Kent

Sacked? Nay they should be hanged for their dastardly crimes!

I'm off to the garden centre to buy a pitch fork before they all sell out...

(NB: for legal reasons I must state this is a joke)

Steve, Leeds,

The wrong person resigned. How Ross said what he said was more out of line than Brand. I find them both funny but Ross sucks up to A list celebs and berates everyone else. Look at interview with Kerry Catona, Im not bothered about her myself but how he spoke to her on national tv was apauling

Siobhan, Cavan, Ireland

Sorry to say but Brand is not a funny guy.

Debe, Atlantic Beach, USA

Is this just not another manifestation of nastiness being a virtue, similar examples are weakest link, dragons den and X factor. All to often we see bullying on the television and it is accepted as entertainment, it is not and it does determine what is reasonable in the broader community

DG, Goerge town, Cayman

What Mr. Brand did was, of course, inappropriate and rude, but I despair at the gross overreaction at what was, first and foremost, a joke. It is utterly ludicrous that the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition chose to involve themselves in such a petty dispute.

Alexander Thanki, London,

I used to consider Russell Brand to be an overhyped pseudo-celebrity, this was around the time of Big Brother etc. About a year ago I was urged to listen to his podcasts from BBC 6 Music and more recently on BBC Radio 2. I have not ceased to be a fan, RB is a very amusing chap.

James, Ashby de la Zouch, UK

Is it me or is all this ridiculous? It just goes to show that old people and politicians love to jump on a band wagon. I heard the phone call and it was hilarious! Yes, and I also thought Jerry Springer the opera was good!

Adam Ingram, Durham, England

We are saying 'enough is enough'. Their remarks were cruel & infantile - part of the "I do whatever I want culture" that infects the media. What was more incredible was the BBC's decision to air this rubbish.
Time to reduce the BBC to core activities and leave the rest to the private sector.

Mark, Berkhamsted,

Prank was offensive (Girl has not denied the substance); Brand is gone, like JR, like the BBC, not happy about increasingly expensive TV licence (with the risk of jail term if l refuse).

What about voluntary TV licence where payers can object and have anyone they do not like sacked?

Dominic, London, UK

Well, at least he is gracious. High Times we be careful of what we say for the sake of respect. Our children will be all the better off for it.

Mark, London, UK

Talk about being blown out of all proportions!!
The two of them made a mistake, they have apologised, the vicitm has accepted the apologies. Now the granddaughter is milking it to make her fortune, the BBC have lost one popular ratings winner, and could lose another. all because of 27,000 complaints.

Neil, Swindon,

Good riddance to Brand and lets hope Ross follows him to America and let the BBC spend our 16 thousand a day on some one who can entertain us without resorting to trying to shock. To name your past sexual partner on air shows how little respect these 'entertainers' have for anyone.

Jean, Lancashire,

It wasn't a prank call. Sachs was due to do a phone interview which he then snubbed, which was very unprofessional and insulting. If you upset people can you really comlpain if they upset you back? Around 0.00066% of the audience complained about it, all the other complainants are morons.

Bob, Glasgow, UK

Does anyone feel, that this as been taken so far out of hand, the archbishop of canterbury as made a statement on the matter, what a joke!!!!

Jason , Leeds,

Both Brand and Ross have made genuine apologies to Mr Sachs and family which he graciously accepted, that should be the end of it.
The unholy alliance, of the self appointed moral guardians of the politically correct left, and the religious right, seem intent on driving this story to achieve there own ends and damage free speech and gag entertainers. That would be an insult to all of us.

Geoff Hume, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Has the world gone mad? Since when have there been laws against poor taste? Stop this witch hunt and would someone please tell the politicians that there really are more important things in this current climate to be spending their time on.

Sinead, UK, UK

What I find strangest of all about this whole affair is Why wasn't Andrew Sachs at home when they called him? He had agreed to a telephone interview and then gone out, meaning Brand and Ross had to fill in time. Who would forget to be at home if the BBC had arranged to call at a specific time?

Jenny, London,

The fierce reaction being witnessed to what was, basically, Jonathan Ross shouting out that Brand had slept with Sachs' Satanic Slut grandddaughter is bordering facism. It seems people have no problem hounding and calling for blood for a joke that they didn't like.

David, London,

"and the comedian hopes to forge a career in Hollywood"

yes well good luck with that.

Roger, Southwark,

OFCOM and the BBC are investigating; of course they are! Both seeking to work out who the goat will be, it won't be the protagonists themselves. Some unlikely suit, hoodwinked into the need to be trendy, edgy. Shame the innocent always bite it in the end

Graeme Teesdale, London, UK

I wouldn't mind if we weren't all forced to fund this dross through the TV Tax. Taxing TV ownership to fund a tiny fraction of the channels available is questionable enough, but taxing TV ownership to provide radio services? Using public money to fund this is the real disgrace.

James Sutherland, Perth, Scotland

We must have a committee, led by the Archbishop of Canterbury with Government appointees and select Daily Mail readers, to pre-approve BBC output before it is broadcast.

Then, with all the cameras and anti-terrors laws already in place, the job is done.

Tom C, Paris, France

What percentage of the yoof audience the BBC craves so much actually buys a TV licence?

David Masu, Zürich, Switzerland

What goes round comes round: the BBC have spent the last two weeks giving George Osborne a good kicking so what did they expect when their incompetent management handed politicians - of all parties - this story on a plate? Sack Woss, Privatise the Beeb and let it take its chance in the marketplace.

Mike , York, UK

i am pleased the bbc at last saw the strenth of feeling regarding brand and ross. if they say they are trying to connect with the younger generation, then why are they not on radio 1.
they are losing listeners by the dozen and leave radio 2 to its natural captured audiance.

Darryl, Cwmbran, UK

Colin, Wokingham, If one complaint was enough to have someone fired and banned from broardcasting then we'd have no one left working on radio or television!
Surely the thousands of listeners who do enjoy this kind of humour deserve a say. I pay me licence fee too you know.

Nicola, Leicester, UK

Only 2 people complained to the actual broadcast, if you don't like something turn over don't complain. I find religion on TV offensive, should Songs of Praise be cancelled - of course not I choose to watch / not watch it. there are very few bradcasters for younger licence fee payers - think of them

Josh, Newton Abbot,

I hope they both realise you can't go around doing this to anyone, but Andrew Sachs? He is a national institution. Who doesn't love Faulty Towers, especially Manuel?

Both should either quit their jobs or be fired which will send a message to anyone else thinking similar actions can be rewarded!

Peter, Channel Islands,

so the 20,000 bandwagon jumpers have had their say, what about the 118,785 members of Russell Brand's facebook fan page who are also license fee payers. The bbc should cater for all tastes not just the Songs of Praise mob who have orchestrated this witchhunt

James Nathaniel, Manchester,

I think its ridiculous that this tiny joke has got to a point where 2 of the best entertainers have been forced to feel that they have done something very wrong. Complaints going from a few hundred to 27000 is ridiculous! Yes a joke got out of hand but losing these entertainers is a travesty.

Tilly, Exeter, United Kingdom

Jen- i couldnt agree with you more!

kiran, London,

Those who say that Brand and Ross were the only reasons they watched the BBC say rather more about themselves than they do about the BBC.

His behaviour was unacceptable irrespective of whether it was broadcast.

I hope Ross gets sacked. I hope his apologists out there can then "Get over it

Neil, Edinburgh, UK

People really are just jumping on the bandwagon and I bet most of those who complained did not even hear the broadcast, which is ridiculous. I did hear it, and it was not supposed to be offensive, it seemed at the time very light hearted and I for one will greatly miss the weekly show.

Aggie, Nottingham,

Jay in Manchester, whether there is a bandwagon or not, this disgusting incident should never have been even considered let alone aired. Just ONE complaint should have been enough to have these two juveniles removed from our airwaves for ever.

colin, Wokingham, UK

Prank calls may seem funny to some people but to those who receive them, the experience can be at least upsetting and at worst terrifying! Those who indulge in such "fun" should, in some way or other, be punished.

John Murphy, Bournemouth,

Given Ross's contract is up for renewal, I think next year, how much do you think the BBC is using this issue to cut the cost for the next one ?

Kevin, Colchester, UK

john, colchester, uk - I think you'll find the its the noisy minority that are carrying on this witch hunt. The show attracted 400,000 listeners and at the time only 2 complaints and now an extra 26,998 sheeple have joined the row. Oh and the odd polititian and vicer - nonsense!

Lee, North Yorkshire,

Well done Russell for resigning; I do quite like him most of the time, but the other one...well I can look forward to a better Friday night and Saturday morning now!

Charles, Crawley, England

I did feel rather sorry for Georgina Baillie, but now that she has decided to cash in on the affair, she's clearly not particularly offended by the comments. If she were genuinely hurt, the last thing she's seek is most exposure.

Liz Balfour, London, UK

Love the both of them can't wait for Friday night with JR on ITV, bet he will get payed even more. BBC are going to lose a lot of viewers and listeners. 27,000 complaints is nothing compared to the amount of license payers. Top Gear is all they got left, bye bye BBC. Ross & Brand see you soon.

Steven, Camberley, United Kingdom

The BBC broadcast it - it is their responsibility to broadcast within certain guidelines. They ultimately made the decision to broadcast this segment, they should be falling on their swords, not making Ross or Brand be scapegoats.

Jen, Notting Hill,

Mr Thompson is wrong it was not "a gross lapse of good taste", it was Gross Misconduct at licence payers expense.

In any well managed company gross misconduct automatically leads to immediate dismissal without compensation.

R Mills, Burford, UK

I find Ross's friday night show reasonably entertaining, but I am always left utterly bewildered that for his inane chatter he is he is being paid £6m p.a. of licence payers' money. Personally I hope he is fired - let's see him try to negotiate a similar deal in the current economic climate.

Rob, London,

Just because a person doesn't find this pair funny does not necessarily mean that they are a pensioner or have no sense of humour.
Everyone who pays a license fee is entitled to an opinion on what it is used for. There is a difference between edgy comedy and just being offensive. eg Chris Morris

Harry O'Mara, Saxondale,

It certainly wasn't Ross's or Brands finest hour but I still think the BBC's producers should be taking responsibility for this one... the show was pre-recorded allegedly Sachs was asked for permission and refused... so why did it still go out?

Judy , Bolton, United Kingdom

I thought Britain has always been the home to the best comedians in the world. I listened to the episode and it wasn't exactly a 'prank' call. It was supposed to be an interview but they got the answering machine; and silliness ensued. The public outcry for blood was what was truely disturbiing.

Dale, Regina, Canada

it slightly went beyond laugh , entertainment and good taste indeed.It was below the bottomline of decency even for people like me who like both of them and their shows.What was supposed to be funny in that specific eposode....?

kamila, bristol-warsaw,

People make mistaktes!

Ross is funny and in good taste 99% of the time. He made a mistake, said he was sorry, get over it!

Luke, Oxford,

Ross was the instigator. Ross should go!

steve tea, manchester, cheshire

"You never know what is enough, until you know what is more than enough!"
Crude, juvenile and disgeaceful!

John, West Sussex,

The BBC appears obsessed with celebrity. They have used it to justify the contracts given to Brand and Ross for, in their own words, 'juvenile, obscene and thoughtless behaviour'. They have reacted to celebrity by not reacting as any other employer would to such uncontested, inappropriate behaviour

Mike Collins, ECCLES,

The Controller of Radio 2 should be sacked. An example should be set at senior management level that standards should be adhered to in a public service broadcaster which include not abusing taxpayers' money to break the law.

Adrian, London, UK

The whole incident perfectly illustrates the moral vacumn at the centre of BBC Entertainment. Why Ross is still in his job is beyond me,as are the views of people defending him.
Jay's report was right ,the BBC needs to return to being a public service, producing high quality news and entertainment

R G James, Brasschaat, Belgium

All these people saying - 'if you don't like it don't listen '- they are essentially saying -if you are in the street and see a 78 year old man being abused and hurt by two total yobbos - walk on by - and just don't look. Do nothing to intervene and stop this behaviour. The UK today.....

Wendy, Edinburgh, UK

I have not listened to the show, but it would be interesting to know how many of the 27,000 listeners actually listened to the show itself, and made a complain on hearing the show not after reading the papers, media news, or from Doris next door etc.

Tom, Chelmsford, Essex

These 2 are hilarious-it was extremely funny and the whole situation shows that people i Britain have no sense of humour. I was laughing my head off when I heard about it.

Patrick, Chester,

Having popularity, too much money and a "je ne sais quoi" does not provide celebrities with a right to display such inappropriate behaviour.
To air such disrespectful behaviour is not entertainment and as a licence payer my true disappointment is with the broadcaster.

Gary W, Peterborough, United Kingdom

Ross has always been a waste of space, lets get rid of the licence fee then he can try to earn his ridiculously over inflated pay at the expense of the licence fee payer.

If Ross and Brand think they are funny then i'll listen to my 15 year old, at least I expect toilet humour from his age group!

Ian, Northampton,

This is ridiculous. Why has this show been singled out over others which have done far worse. Radio2 will now lose all the young listeners gained with brand, and I have now lost the only show i ever liked on Radio2. Thanks to all those who jumped on the outrage bandwagon and lost me my favorite show

David, London, England

Guy, Bradford, you are absolutely right. Get rid of eastenders!

Sue, London,

It wasn't the best decision ever to broadcast it, correct ,but the band wagon hypocrites who have joined in is a joke! If you don't like them, turn it over and go and watch Allo Allo. A lot of people do enjoy listening to Ross and Brand me included. I don't blame him for resigning, good luck to him

Jay, Manchester, UK

How about a show where wisdom was the theme?

Michael Levy, Fort Lauderdale, USA

How long before Ross throws in the towel as well ?
Answer - He won't, not with the size of his wage packet at stake.
He'll hang on to the bitter end.
Just like someone else we know !

Martin Briggs, Heversham, England

I'd missed Matt over the last few weeks and it would seem that Russell did as well. Matt has always brought Russell into line when goes off on one. Baddiel and Ross seemed a bit too excited to be involved in a 'relevant' show. Like nerds invited to a cool kids party. RIP best show on Radio!

christopher taylor, bristol, england

radio 2 will be a poorer place without those guys on-sure,this time theyve gone too far,but its really not that long ago when r2 was radio snooze,and these 2 guys have done an awful lot to increase the listener figures,and sometimes,although not always-they are really really funny.

steve, wakefield, west yorks

Most of the replies supporting these two come from outside the UK!

I assume these people are paying the BBC license fee.

I wonder how much Ross paid Brand for his pathetic attempt to keep him in the style to which he has been accustomed?

Better sacrifice £200kpa than £6mpa.

Jeff Allen, Royston, UK

Stop worrying. It'll be fine. We can replace them both with comedians (funny ones this time), a film reviewer who doesn't just like films with exploding cars, someone who understands that an interview means finding something out about someone other and a couple of DJs who understand music.

Trev, Tunbridge Wells, UK

It`s true that they went too far and the broadcast was in poor taste but that`s the risk that you have to take in comedy!
Brand is one of the most brilliant and original comediant of our times and it is a shame he was forced to quit.

Diogo Silva, Braga, Portugal

Now, would it not be a good thing if Rb & Jr would commit to 6months full time, (60hrs) unpaid WORK in an old folks or childrens home in the UK.

If this does not take their fancies, then perhaps they could clear off to another country for a good long time.

The majority say 'PUT OUT THE TRASH'!

john, colchester, uk

"There is nothing left worth watching the BBC for." ... welcome to the situation many have been in for years . In fact from my point of view it just got a little more bearable , but still not worth watching .

Benzo, Nr Chelmsford,

How annoying. Now they'll go to Sky who will pay twice as much but I won't be able to watch them.

Helen, Oxford,

Playground humour , people cannot pay a mortgage,and we are letting this in our homesat huge cost. The girl and her grandfather should take them to court,It is the only thing undersood in todays society,MONEY.

Mr M.Slane, Dundee, UK

Goodbye BBC Comedy - The PC Brigade are not going to be happy until all BBC channels are just showing 24 hour Antiques Roadshow & Songs of Praise.

Claire, Ipswich, UK

I have enjoyed Brand & Ross but those who think this funny must have a really sad sense of humour. Would they laugh if their own daughters had been revealed and laughed at over the radio for having had sex with one of the presenters. The Producer also should be suspended. Blown out of proportion

Gareth Williams, Powys,

to be honest i'm more concerned that my licence fee money goes towards paying for Eastenders.

complete tripe - lowering the standards of the nation and validating the chav lifestyle.

Guy, Bradford,

Russell resigns, Jonathan has been suspended and both have apologised with sincerity and Georgina is potentially going to earn £50K for not a funny story. Andrew Sachs acts with integrity, thats why he will always have a place in the hearts of the British audience. It is now time to move on,

John Gregory, Uttoxeter,

Great...the two best radio shows on the BBC have been taken off air. Goodbye innovative and genuinely funny comedy, and hello banal BBC drones from now on. The reaction has been almost as ridiculous as the outroar over the Brass Eye paedophilia episode. Apologise and get on with it...

Mark, Dubai,

I heard the show, the whole thing was pretty sick. I am amazed it was allowed to go ahead.

Garry Sukhija, Gants Hill, UK

I look forward to tuning in to these two wherever they next surface, I've always loved their shows. As for Radio 2 - goodbye, it was nice knowing you ..

John, Prague, Czech Republic

One down, one to go!

Steven, Brisbane, Australia

A regular listener to Russell Brand I knew that as I listened to the podcast in question he and Jonathon Ross had crossed the line. I doubt that the serious breach ethics in broadcasting would have been made had Matt Morgan been in the studio that day. There will always be lines Russell.

Iain Edwards, Cairns, Australia

I cannot believe what this world or at least this country have come to. The Country is such a sorry state when someone like Gordon Brown has his 10 penneth worth. The person at fault here is the person who allowed the broadcast. Simple. And Ross's lawyers will make sure that is clear if need be.

Justin Santoro, Peterborough, England

Broadcasters have a history of hiring comics who have no taste/ decency, this current debacle would have gone unpunished, if not for the public uproar / slant taken by our politicians, who laugh at these sorts of individuals, then take advantage, if they think they can score brownie points!

Roger, Gloucester, Glos

It wasn't the first misdemeanor that did Mr Brand in, we all know the stupid tosh the radio show turns out, it was his stupid on camera apology that was why it escalated, It was infantile and a joke, the whole thing was a joke, and people have finally said enough is enough, our children are watching

Stephen Dutton, Gold Coast, Australia

You can't beat a good witchhunt!

Were the comments really that offensive?!

James, Brisbane, Australia

Well thats it ...There is nothing left worth watching the BBC for...
Rossy.. turn the lights off when you leave!
See you on the other side.

Colin Holmes, Hua HIn, Thailand