Jonathan Ross has spoken publicly for the first time about his former friendships with Russell Brand and David Walliams, following recent revelations about both comedians. The television presenter said he was "horrified" by the allegations against Walliams and by Brand's crimes, adding that he had been "genuinely unaware" of their conduct while they were on friendly terms.
His comments come as Brand faces the consequences of his rape conviction, while Walliams has been accused by several women of inappropriate behaviour towards them when they were teenagers. Walliams denies any wrongdoing.
Ross's Statement on Former Friends
"There was a time in my life when I was on friendly terms with both men, and during that period I was genuinely unaware of their conduct," Ross said. "My thoughts are with the many, many women who have bravely come forward."
Ross's association with Brand dates back to 2006, when the comedian first appeared on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross. The pair developed a friendship, with the presenter attending Brand's wedding to Laura Gallacher in 2017 alongside his wife, screenwriter Jane Goldman.
The 2008 Sachs Prank Call Scandal
Their professional relationship had already attracted widespread controversy almost a decade earlier. In October 2008, Ross and Brand were at the centre of a major scandal after leaving a series of offensive messages on the answerphone of actor Andrew Sachs during an episode of BBC Radio 2's The Russell Brand Show.
The pair had attempted to contact Sachs, best known for playing Manuel in Fawlty Towers, but instead left increasingly inappropriate messages referencing his granddaughter, Georgina Baillie. During the broadcast, Brand told Sachs: "I said Andrew Sachs! Look Andrew Sachs I have got respect for you and your lineage and your progeny, never let that be questioned."
Ross then interrupted with a shocking remark: "He f***ed your granddaughter!" The comment prompted laughter in the studio, while Ross subsequently apologised to Sachs, saying: "I'm sorry… I apologise Andrew, I apologise, I can't help it, you were talking about it and it was in my head, I apologise."
But the pair continued with the prank, with Brand making repeated calls and joking about marrying Georgina. At one point, Brand said: "The truth is I am phoning you to ask if I can marry - that's right, marry - Georgina the granddaughter." Ross joined in, adding: "And I would like to be a page boy."
The exchanges became increasingly disturbing, with Brand singing an apology in which he repeated his claim to have had sex with Sachs' granddaughter. Ross eventually remarked: "This has made it worse, you have trivialised the whole incident."
Later in the programme, Brand insisted: "No one could have been offended by anything that went on in that show." Ross responded: "Who could possibly be offended by anything there? If they were, they are crazy people."
Resurfaced Walliams Clip Addressed
Ross has now addressed another resurfaced clip involving Walliams, in which he joked about the comedian going home with a 15-year-old. The footage dates back to December 2004, when Ross hosted the British Comedy Awards and Walliams was present with Little Britain co-creator Matt Lucas.
Ross told the audience: "The comedy awards is 15 years old - 15 years old! And like most 15-year-olds, it's drunk, it's unpredictable, and it's probably going home with David Walliams."
The presenter has since insisted he did not write the joke himself, explaining that it had been submitted by the awards' scriptwriting team. He said he believed the punchline referred to Walliams having publicly dated younger women, with the remark exaggerated for comic effect.
Ross admitted it was a "tasteless joke" he would not make today, adding that he would have refused to use it had he suspected it referred to actual events. "Had I had any reason to suspect that it might be referring to actual events, I would not only have refused to use it, but I would not have felt comfortable continuing a personal or professional relationship with him," he said.
