LONDON (AFP) — The BBC on Monday apologised to Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs for the "unacceptable and offensive" telephone calls made to him by comedian Russell Brand and talk-show presenter Jonathan Ross.
Brand, who caused controversy with his inflammatory remarks when hosting the American VMA awards, left a series of messages on Sachs' voicemail insinuating that he had slept with his granddaughter.
The messages were left after the 78-year-old actor, who played the hapless Spanish waiter Manuel in the revered sit-com, did not answer his phone for a pre-arranged interview on Brand's chat show.
Brand and Ross, who was a guest on the show, then left a series of messages one of which said the comedian had "enjoyed Georgina on a swing".
A tape of the messages was broadcast during the former drug addict's Radio 2 show on Saturday night, during which the pair also speculated that Sachs could kill himself after hearing about the incident.
Sachs, who was said to be "upset" by the messages, then complained to the broadcaster.
"We have received a letter of a complaint from Mr Sachs' agent and would like to sincerely apologise to Mr Sachs for the offence caused," a BBC spokeswoman said.
"We recognise that some of the content broadcast was unacceptable and offensive. We are reviewing how this came about and are responding to Mr Sachs personally.
"We also apologise to listeners for any offence caused."
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