Disgusted Margaret rips up Brand’s book

REBRANDED . . . Margaret Bridge tears up Russell Brand’s book in protest.

A GRANDMOTHER has publicly torn up her copy of Russell Brand’s autobiography in protest at his lewd radio prank.

As the number of complaints over “Manuelgate” reached 35,000, Margaret Bridge took more direct action — ripping up the book in Oldham town centre.

Ms Bridge (64), of Grisebeck Way, Coldhurst, said she wanted to publicly protest on behalf of people of her generation saddened by the scandal.

She had purchased the bestseller — “My Booky Wook” —two weeks ago as a Christmas present for her brother but now feels unable to give it to him.

Comedian Mr Brand and presenter Jonathan Ross sparked outrage after vulgar messages they left on actor Andrew Sachs’s phone, saying Brand had slept with his grand-daughter, Georgina Baillie, were broadcast on Radio 2.

Ms Bridge said: “I just want to bring the situation to the public eye locally. I know there are people my age who don’t know how to protest about situations like this and I think it’s only fair they have a voice.

“It’s terribly insulting to Andrew Sachs and his grand-daughter.

“I feel very sad that it’s been treated with such complacency and that young people are bewildered by the outrage. I don’t want it ignored and complacency creeping in that this is acceptable. It’s a fast moving world we are living in and we will end up numbed against other outrages.”

She feels the BBC should have stopped the broadcast and expected better of everyone involved.

She said: “I have admired Russell Brand tremendously for being able to talk about how badly he’s been affected by his heroin addiction and how he’s come out the other side. I watch his programmes as I like to keep up with my grandchildren’s views and I think he’s funny and bright.”

She feels equally strongly of Mr Ross’ book, “Why Do I Say These Things?”. “I think Jonathan Ross feels he is unassailable after working in the public eye for so long,” she said. “He’s on £6 million a year for two days work a week but that does not give him the right to say what he said.”

Ms Bridge is in good company, with the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams calling the pair “infantile and disgusting” and Prime Minister Gordon Brown calling their action “inappropriate and unacceptable.”

Both presenters have apologised, with Mr Brand acknowledging it was stupid and resigning from his Radio 2 show.

Mr Ross, who admitted he had been juvenile and thoughtless, was yeserday suspended from his TV and radio shows without pay until mid–January, and highly–regarded Radio 2 controller Lesley Douglas resigned.

The BBC, along with media watchdog Ofcom, is carrying out an investigation.

Mr Sachs (78) — who played Manuel in Fawlty “Towers” — said he had been upset by the prank.