Russell Brand quits BBC over prank calls

Russell Brand has announced that he is resigning from his Radio 2 show.

The star had been suspended by BBC bosses following prank phone calls made by him and Jonathan Ross to former Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs.

Brand earlier made a public apology to Sachs, claiming that he took "complete responsibility" for the stunt and that he was "caught up in the moment".

"I'm sorry that I have upset Mr Sachs," he told reporters outside his London home.

Ross has also apologised for his behaviour, saying in a statement: "I am deeply sorry and greatly regret the upset and distress that my juvenile and thoughtless remarks on the Russell Brand show have caused."

He said he had waited until now to release a statement because he planned to apologise on his chatshow Friday Night With Jonathan Ross.

He added: "However, it was a stupid error of judgement on my part and I offer a full apology."

Sachs has said that he is "not surprised" by the BBC's decision to suspend the presenters.