Ross pulls out of presenting British Comedy Awards
Jonathan Ross has pulled out of presenting this year’s British Comedy Awards following his suspension from the BBC for prank calls to actor Andrew Sachs.
ITV said Ross had made the decision with its agreement following the events of this week, which saw thousands of people complain to the BBC over lewd messages left by Ross and Russell Brand on Sachs’ answering machine.
A spokesman for Ross said the British Comedy Awards was a show “he very much enjoys being a part of”, but added: “He would not want his participation in this year’s event to take away from the awards themselves of the many talented winners of the awards.”
ITV director of television Peter Fincham said: “We respect Jonathan’s decision to stand down from the 2008 British Comedy Awards which has been made with the full support of ITV and the show’s producers.”
The 2008 British Comedy Awards will be broadcast on ITV1 in December.
Also from The Stage
- Ross suspended for 3 months
- BBC suspends Ross and Brand over "unacceptable" prank calls to Sachs
- BBC apologises to Sachs for Brand's answerphone prank
- Ross and Brand take top prizes at Sony awards
- ITV postpones British Comedy Awards
- Broadcasters must learn from scandals, urges Purnell
- TV Today: Jonathan Ross
- TV Today: British Comedy Awards
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