No further actions against Ross.

Lets hope he can be restored to Radio 2 before Christmas - because the station is struggling without his flagship show which many millions look forward to each week.

Once again the media have hyped this up - and things such as the 25% devaluation of the pound in the last few weeks have gone without comment. The fact that SONY are increasing their prices and RAIL fares are going up by 11% are just the start of massive rises in inflation due to the devaluation. The economy is going to get alot worse because our

Sense but, of course, the media will howl in protest, no realising (dum!) that, as usual, they are shooting themselves in the foot.

I'm sure Jon Gaunt howled with hatred about Vile Ross and Brand and urged their dismissal - just before he was fired for a similar thing.

Paul Dacre will howl against muzzling the press until someone digs up a story about him and ruins his career.

"Censor these vile broadcasters", the tabloids will hiss.

Oh, lawdy, lawdy, you've got to larf.

The media used to report on the stories.

Today they ARE the story.

Strange times.

"Grossly offensive" squeals the Beeb.
It wasn't at all. It was a tasteless gag that didn't work, broadcast to a few in a non prime time slot aimed at minority audience.

The BBC should have the backbone to stand up to the bigots.

True JK, but in your time on BBC Radio the F word would have been unthinkable. Wouldn't it? And I don't remember anything quite as monumentally dull as that Ross and Brand broadcast in your time on the wireless. Ross and Brand capable of 'dangerous creativity'? Of course not. Gambaccini, King, Walker, Everett, to name but four who could break new ground without being stupidly juvenile. I ask you! What talent does it take to say 'FUCK'? Ross will be back, along with his Friday night show, ratings will go through the roof, and everyone will happily ever after. However true talent doesn't and has never relied on cheap stunts.

It really doesn't matter how small the audience was, the offence was against Andrew Sachs. The audience have no real say in that part of it; their complaint must be directed at the producers who allowed the show to be broadcast. Ross and Brand are both very infantile and we can't really expect responsible behaviour from them. As with younger children, they need to be supervised properly. Apparently the main guy on duty was a junior production assistant. He informed his senior, who in turn informed someone even more senior, but neither of the seniors bothered to listen to the recording before passing it fit for broadcast.

To suggest that an offence is less serious because only a small few are witness to it is a bit silly. Would that mean that beating someone up in the street is less serious if it's not on a busy shopping day.

Denise is right - the scale of public listening is not the point. It was a show that broke the decency test for the BBC - and so sanctions were needed.

What I do disagree with is talent. Ross's radio show is essential listening and he is not possibly the ONLY world class broadcaster left on Radio 1 and 2 ( Chris Evens potentially could be ). Steve Wright is stuck in the early 80s and bows and scrapes to the establishment daily and Wogan is basically past his sell by date. The Radio 1 new jocks are pretty useless right accross the board and Steve Lamacq must wonder what he did to be pushed to Radio 6 when not a single jock left is fit to lace his shoes.

The Golden Era of DJs in the late 60s and 70s is well and truly over sadly - and the way in which Ross and Brand and Whale and Gaunt have been treated means that true rebellion will never be heard on the national or large stations in the UK ever again. John Peel is sorely missed as well.

In the West Midlands the superb MALCOLM BOYDEN is one last remaining personality DJ who sails very close to the edge but keeps a massive listership including all ages with his "Camp" humour and amazing competitions ( check out his Sunday morning show for pure theatre )

But I am afraid most DJs could be replaced by robots these days and no one would notice. Ross for that very reason is worth

[quote]But I am afraid most DJs could be replaced by robots these days and no one would notice