Andrew Sachs grateful to Ross, Brand

Andrew Sachs has admitted that Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand's prank phone calls boosted his career.

The 79-year-old Fawlty Towers star found himself at the centre of a public outcry last year after Ross and Brand left a series of lewd messages on his answerphone.

The incident, which was broadcast on Brand's Radio 2 show, led to Ross being suspended from the BBC. Meanwhile, comedian Brand decided to resign from the corporation.

In a new interview, Sachs has publicly thanked the pair for helping him to get back in the headlines following a quiet period in his career.

He told The Guardian: "I came out of it very well. My profile's up. Great! They did me good. Thank you very much."

Discussing Ross's humour, Sachs continued: "I think he's got great talent. Although he talks too fast - so fast sometimes I can't understand him. He's got a very quick brain. If only he'd get rid of the other stuff, he'd be twice as good. But the sexual innuendo and the way he treats his guests is not good."

The actor added that he is less impressed by Brand's talents, admitting that he does not understand the star's appeal.

"I think he's aimed at a much younger audience than me," he explained. "No wonder he doesn't attract many of the more mature generation."

The BBC was recently fined £150,000 by broadcasting watchdog Ofcom over its handling of the scandal.