These presenters have huge powers and influence and if they do not have the intelligence or courtesy not abuse these purely for their own gratification then the BBC must 'dump' them. Jonathan ross is a talented and entertaining presenter both on radio and TV. Big surprise. But Russell Brand - No.

Richard, Murcia, Spain

In any other business an employee who left lewd and slanderous messages on a fellow employee's anwswering machine would be sacked immediately.

Brian Eave, Pembroke,

A bully, ANY bully, would tell you that they were just being funny and they were just havin a laff and didn't mean no harm.
Basically what egomaniac Brand is scoffing right now.
We are truly witnessing the big brotherisation of society, where nastiness and preying over weak targets reign supreme.

Claude, Birmingham, UK

I found parts of it quite funny. Of course, it's below the belt humour and not to everyones taste. People are overreacting - it was just a joke that got out of hand! Personally, I was more horrified watching Kerry Katona being interviewed

Nina, Boston, USA

Let's withold our licence fee until the BBC 'serve' the fee paying public by listening to our views.

Lyn, Chester, England

Why has it taken a week and a half for this to get picked up by the news? Could it be because the people complaining aren't the show's demographic and have never actually listened to it?

To catherine sarginson:
Are you in the majority, or one of the people forcing their opinions on everyone else?

Tim, Wolverhampton,

The BBC response to this incident is unutterably pathetic. The contempt for the complaints shown by the pair (Brand in particular) is absolutely disgraceful and brings shame on the BBC. Nothing short of their instant dismissal will suffice to restore any sort of credibility to the Corporation.

Adrian, Edinburgh,

The glee that they can get from insulting old men without recourse is something that they could only dream about in the school playground. how kind life has been to them. And to get handsomely paid for it by the public whether the public likes it or not is icing on the cake. Nirvana!!

G.Reid, Birkenhead, England

Spot on! Brand's apology is a disgrace lacking any sincerity or humility or recognising that he has done anything wrong.

I hope the BBC has the courage to address this issue properly.

Josh, London,

For 60 years, I've been educated and entertained by, and supported the (generally) marvellous contribution of the BBC to GB plc. I find this self-inflicted wound truly awful, the abuse of an elderly gentleman; I hope that they are sacked.

Paul Randall, Chichester,

they have obviously both peaked and run out of ideas so time to relegate them to some obsure satelite channel at 4.00a.m. so we no longer have to fund their lifestyles.

Martin, Southend on sea,

I think this is the point where the charging of a "licence fee" is no longer defensible.

Martin, Newmarket, Suffolk

As a longtime admirer of Ross I feel deeply depressed by this. No one escapes the shame of this tawdry episode, least of all the BBC itself which refused to acknowledge the seriousness of the incident until politicians became involved. Heads should roll.

T Sessions, London, UK

Sack the BBC

Alan Craigie, Aberdeen, Scotland

Not many so-called comedians have any wit or cleverness these days. They rely only on vulgarity & crudity, shouting 4 letter words and waiting for the applause on how clever and bold they are. That's why I never watch or listen to any of them. The one exception is Paul Merton who is rarely crude.

Reg Tripp, Alton, U K

Those two comedians broke the law and offended public decency, not to neglect the insult and hurt to Sachs. They and the responsible production persons deserve dismissal AND prosecution. Its easy to say sorry..and smirk afterwards that it was funny was'nt it? It was obscene, tasteless & offensive

Tony, Horsted Keynes, ENGLAND

Certainly plenty of scope for prosecution under the Malicious Communications Act 1988... Sack them both - this was malicious and puerile and sends the message that bullying and abuse are OK.

Henry, London, UK

No, it wasn't a prank. It was illegal and if those responsible are not prosecuted and sacked the police and BBC Trust will look ridiculous.

Tony Clayton, Buxhall, Suffolk,

What about an apology/compensation for the granddaughter? There are some very patriarchal assumptions to this story.

S. Harvey, Lausanne, Switzerland

to James:
I say it was not funny because I am a decent human being who thinks about other people's feelings especially those
who are elderly. I am in the majority in this debate. You
are not and neither are those two ignorant twits Fire them!

catherine sarginson, Victoria BC, Canada

How could phoning a 78 year old man and leaving a lewd message regarding his grand daughter ever be seen as funny?

Michael, Aberdeen, UK

Everyone calling for the sacking of Ross and Brand - they are what they are and if the BBC wish to pay them obscene amounts of licence payers money they are not going to say no are they? No, the individual/s at the BBC who allowed this crude garbage to be broadcast are the ones who should be sacked

Eileen, Blockley, England

These two are about as funny as a packet of vomit!
They should be sacked forthwith, as would happen to anyone else in any other walk of life.
Time to start thinking about refusing to pay the Licence Fee methinks!

Keith, Grantham,

Fire them. There is no alternative. Both over-exposed and overpaid. In the current environment there is no room for self-indulgence paid for by the licence fee. Ross is an over-hyped presenter of no discernible talent, a phrase which does not even begin to describe Brand's deficiencies.

Martin Davies, Guildford, Surrey

In fairness, that section and the rest of the show were really very funny. If the point of the article genuinely is that the only problem was that it wasn't funny, then the article is wrong and should be ignored.

Chris Robson, Newcastle,

Who are you to declare it wasn't funny?

James, Cambridge, UK

Once again Ross has shown extreme bad behaviour, which would lead to dismissal in business, academic and social life. The BBC must show a firm hand and cancel all contracts with Ross and ban Brand from its programmes.

Rogers, Wantage,

Its about time Ross got some punishment.He has become too big for his brogues.Russell Brand is appearing in Shakespeare,apparently.Out,damn spot!!

julie, London,

And some editor wil carry the can for this, whilst this singularly unfunny pair will continue to be rewarded handsomely for their 'talent' at our expense.
I can see why Ross may hold some appeal with sheltered housewives, but the only person I know who thinks Brand is funny is.....Russell Brand!

Dave, Sheffield,

Well, I'm surprised only that anyone else is surprised. What are the risks inherent in giving a couple of going on 12-ish smutty schoolboy types a lot of money and a public platform?
Ofcom investigating what appears to be a criminal offence? Why? Where are the police?

m collins, Leeds,

I seriously doubt that most people actually listened to the show without prerequisites over what they were about to hear.

I listened to it and thought it was absolutely hilarious, if you didn't, don't listen to it. If enough people agree with you, they wont get enough listeners and will be sacked.

Tim, Wolverhampton,

This is a very clear-cut issue. The making of lewd, offensive, threatening phone calls is a criminal act. The law has been broken and if you or I did it we could expect a stiff fine or maybe hours of community service.
But not the BBC: JR and RB will get off scot free, they ARE the establishment.

Martin C, Twickenham, UK

"...else the Corporation's reputation will be in the gutter,'
I thought it already was, with it's Political Correctness, fawning on the Labour Party and lack of talent.
Gave up watching it years ago.
Thank goodness for cable tv and radio

Howard , Basildon, England

One other important detail I forgot. Brand had previously talked about Sachs' granddaughter on his show. If Sachs' agent had done any researchat all, they would know this fact, as well as the general tone of any interview on Russell Brand's show.

Tim, Wolverhampton,

Is this what we pay for just the 6million pound for Ross and god only knows what the BBC pay the other so called comedian????
THEY BOTH SHOULD BE SACKED.
It seems to me and i think millions of other people that these two have to much time on there hands SACK SACK SACK THEM BOTH.

John Simpson, Walsall, West Midlands

The BBC is being crude to a frightening degree and this is incident just a symptom.
"Little Britain"always outrageous- is now disgusting, "Last an Standing"-revolting language- and poor old Jonarhan Ross-desperate to be cool when it,s long gone.
Where are the editors??

Tony Prince, London,

To Robert of Ipswich
I suppose there will be a minority like you ready to excuse this pair. However I suspect the majority felt this episode was distasteful and unfunny. Take them off the air for good and if it is necessary let them keep their loot. Andrew Sachs is elderly and nice and gentle man

Paul, Stockton-on- Tees,

They are cowards. Fire them, and send them to Afghanistan, to meet real men.

jake, dumfries,

Ipswich Robert

I don't know if you are a parent or not, whatever the "tone of the call", how would you feel if it was your daughter or granddaughter they were discussing ..... the entire tone of call was insulting and hurtful, definitely not funny.

Jacqui, Kingscote, West Sussex

Gutless and guilty of left wing bias are two of the descriptions frequently levelled at the BBC. We should also add pompous in their determination to push P C down our throats whilst ignoring it themselves. Why do British people have to pay a licence fee (tax) for this insult to their intelligence?

Richard Brady, Kiev, Ukraine

If they are under contract has there been a breach - BBC into disrepute? I would also like to know if by saying this Brand has slandered Sachs' grand daughter in which case a court action would be appropriate which I would have though would constitute a breach that should result in termination.

Freedom, Tunbridge Wells,

I find Ross and Brand revolting and unfunny. I resent the licence fee going towards paying them.

Nobody likes to see a pensioner upset. It is hard to imagine a more cruel taunt than that of having had sex with his grand-daughter.

The BBC saw nothing wrong at the time. That speaks volumes.

Toby, Winchester, UK

This was typical "drunken lads" humour. People who, when plastered, think they're hilarious - usually with the effect that anyone else who's remotely sober just thinks they're pillocks.

Ross has NEVER been a comedian - sadly, he seems to think presenting comedy awards makes him one.

Lee Duff, Reading,

Jonathan Ross was never funny and seems to be some kind of unpleasant, and overpaid residue of the early 1990s. Think what might be done with his £ 6 million salary. How ironic it was that this offensive nonsense was directed at an actor who starred in a real quality comedy: Fawlty Towers.

c dandeker, tunbridge wells ,

another salient point is that sachs was asked whether he objected to the recorded calls being broadcast, i read that he did object, these objections were ignored. ross is a 48-year old father ... is he looking forward to the day when some up and coming comedian rings him and insults his daughter.

wendy, basingstoke, hampshire

I'd rather the BBC spent 6 million pounds of taxpayers money each year on making decent programmes rather than on Jonathon Ross's celebrity salary. His smug slimy onscreen personality isn't worth a 10th of what he's paid and that was before he started insulting people on air. Same applies to R Brand

Roberts, Sheffield,

Jonathan Ross is a genuinely funny man. Over the years he has had me laughing out loud, often because he said something close to the bone, but usually incisive and clever. I can't say the same for Brand.
The problem here is that it was just not funny. Not clever, not thought provoking, just crass.

Kevin, Aberdeen, UK

I love both Andrew Sach and Russell Brand but this wad not funny and very stupid. Shame on you Russel.

Ross should be sack ASAP.

alain, Lille, France

Brand is just not funny, full stop. Puerile, inane, infantile, yes, but not funny. It's unfortunate that the Guardian has espoused him, though one must suspect his relatively articulate columns there are ghosted. He should be removed but I suspect the BBC will plead celebrity immunity.

John Stitch, London,

Get rid of them. They may be funny (personally I dno't think Brand is) but we have to question what sort of people they are. Disgusting behavior - fire them.

Henry, London,

Surely it's up to comedians to push boundaries. If you actually listen ot the tone of the calls, they don't come accross as being malicious at all. I think a lot of this is blowing up due to jealousy over their pay.

Robert, Ipswich, UK

Hit the nail on the head Suzeraine , you can add Dragon's den , weakest link , various reality shows and numerous soaps to the list , show casing just how unpleasant people like to be to one another on the box . All completely unnecessary and under no circumstances entertainment .

Benzo, Nr Chelmsford,

Brand & Ross should be sacked for their appalling behaviour. In any other business these guys would have already been suspended.They both (especially Ross) seem to think that they are "bigger" than the BBC, and no one in the Corporation seems to have the balls to deal with it.

Peter Taylor, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire

Perhaps the B.B.C should be made to compensate everyone who pays a license fee.

Maria, Harrogate , England

I never thought Mary Whitehouse would prove to be right or knew what she was talking about. Every time I watch a "modern comedy" I feel guilty that I sniggered at her.

Now it is time BBC realise smut is neither funny nor free speech. It is revolting and pathetic.

raj, harrow, uk

Sadly, Russell Brand probably really does think that nasty, hurtful and abusive is the same as funny. And why should he not, seeing the delighted audience reaction to the nasty, hurtful abuse regularly doled out by the likes of Simon Cowell and Alan Sugar to deluded but harmless individuals?

Suzeraine, London,

I agree that they should be sacked. RB is a loose cannon given his recent antics in the states and here.

Ryan Mc, Belfast, N Ireland

The man in the street will remember the obscene telephone call every time they hear or see Ross or
Brand. Fire them. They are a disgrace. If an unknown
citizen behaved as they did, they would be prosecuted; and properly so. Fire them. There is no excuse for this cowardly, and sleazy behaviour.

Mike Ryan, Christchurch, UK.

I agree that the pair should be sacked, but are the BBC "bigger" than their "stars"? Ross received an OBE in 2005 for services to broadcasting! Sir David Attenborough is his guest this Friday, does he feel strongly enough about this incident to pull out - maybe his guests should consider this.

Brian, Kent,

Some good comedy can be viscious and cruel, but this should always be directed at credible targets - the strong and powerful.

Mr Sachs is, by all accounts, a decent bloke, living out his retirement and enjoying his family. Hardly a worthy target for the puerile and spiteful attentions of JR/RB

Bob Ginger, Reading,

This is an utterly disgraceful incident.

Brand and, especially, Ross, *must* be sacked by the BBC, else the Corporation's reputation will be in the gutter, and a signal will have been sent that *any* behaviour, no matter how repulsive to the public at large, has become acceptable.

James Brooks, London, UK

Ross and Brand can be funny on occasion, but not with the consistency expected of a decent comedian nor with the quality to justify their ludicrous salaries. What they did was not only not funny and tasteless, it lacked judgement and for that lack of professionalism they should go.

Dan, Edinburgh,

And this is the sort of garbage for which we are forced to pay a license fee?

M. Smith, Expat Bangkok, Thailand

How exactly does this rubbish fulfil the BBC's charter?

Faustino, Brisbane, Australia

J. Ross was obscene and offensive beyond belief and should be sacked immediately. The BBC seems to have lost all sense of it's responsibility for public broadcasting. The producer responsible as well as Brand and Ross should be sacked and not allowed to work for BBC Radio or TV ever again.

John, Guildford, England

These foul-mouthed, obnoxious, narcissistic so-called entertainers should be frog-marched from their studios and thrown into the gutter where they belong.

Jez Ford, Bedford,

The only question is, has anyone at the BBC got enough spine to sack these two? Surely they have broken some part of their expensive contracts?

Paul, London, England