Video
BBC Director General Mark Thompson discusses the recent controversy
JONATHAN Ross has stepped down from presenting the 2008 British Comedy Awards, ITV announced today.
The broadcaster said it had agreed with the decision following the Andrew Sachs furore.
Ross was last night
suspended for three months without pay by the BBC.
Ross was reported to be pocketing at least £100,000 for presenting the annual awards ceremony.
The star also loses around £1.5 million in pay from the BBC, because of his 12-week suspension without pay.
A spokesman for Ross said of the British Comedy Awards: "It's a show he very much enjoys being part of but would not want his participation in this year's event to take away from the awards themselves or 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."
Last night, Radio 2 controller Lesley Douglas resigned, saying: "I believe it is right that I take responsibility for what has happened."
Russell Brand, who took part in the prank with Ross, has quit his Radio 2 show.
The full article contains 208 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
