BBC to broadcast apologies for Brand's prank calls

BBC to broadcast apologies for Brand's prank calls
BBC to broadcast apologies for Brand's prank calls (Image credit: PA Wire/PA Photos)

The BBC says it will broadcast two apologies on Radio 2 as a result of the Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross prank phone calls. The apology will be aired twice on Radio 2, at 1003 GMT when Ross's show would have gone out, and in the evening at 2103 GMT during Brand's former slot. The BBC Trust said the apology should be made to licence fee payers for the 'serious breach of editorial standards'. The Trust's Editorial Standard's Committee approved the following apology: "On 18 October, the BBC broadcast an exchange between Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross on the Russell Brand show on Radio 2. This concerned the actor Andrew Sachs and his granddaughter, Georgina Baillie. Some of this exchange was left on the voicemail of Mr Sachs. "The conversation was grossly offensive and an unacceptable intrusion into the private lives of both Mr Sachs and Ms Baillie. It was a serious breach of editorial standards, and should never have been recorded or broadcast. "The BBC would like to apologise unreservedly to Mr Sachs, Ms Baillie and to our audiences as licence fee payers."

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