Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross have been suspended by the BBC over "inappropriate and unacceptable" prank calls made to veteran actor Andrew Sachs.

Both broadcasters' shows have been taken off air until an internal investigation is carried out, the BBC said.

Filming of Friday Night With Jonathan Ross, which had been due to take place today, has been cancelled.

BBC Director-General Mark Thompson said in a statement: "I would like to add my own personal and unreserved apology to Andrew Sachs, his family and to licence fee payers for the completely unacceptable broadcast on BBC Radio 2.

"BBC audiences accept that, in comedy, performers attempt to push the line of taste.

"However, this is not a marginal case. It is clear from the views expressed by the public that this broadcast has caused severe offence and I share that view.

"Since Sunday, I have been in regular contact with the senior executives I tasked with handling this issue.

"In the meantime, I have decided that it is not appropriate for either Russell Brand or Jonathan Ross to continue broadcasting on the BBC until I have seen the full report of the actions of all concerned."

On a pre-recorded programme, broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on October 18th, Brand and Ross left messages on Sachs' phone claiming Brand had slept with his granddaughter.

The pair also joked that the actor might kill himself as a result of the comedian's claim.

The BBC has since apologised for the “unacceptable” nature of the four messages. Regulator Ofcom has launched an investigation following 10,000 complaints.

Sachs' granddaughter, Georgina Baillie, has led calls for the pair to be dismissed from their jobs.

Yesterday evening Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Brand and Ross, two of the BBC's biggest stars, had acted with "inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour".

Brand issued an on air apology about the incident on his show last Saturday, while Ross, the BBC's highest paid broadcaster, said he had spoken privately to the Sachs family.