Rex Features

Sir Michael Parkinson has criticised Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand for their prank phone calls, branding the pair’s behaviour “obscene, tasteless and unfunny”.

The former chatshow host admitted that he was not surprised by the controversy surrounding the incident and described the broadcasters’ on-air conduct as “indefensible”.

Ross has now been suspended without pay for 12 weeks after leaving lewd voicemail messages for Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs as he appeared on Brand’s Radio 2 programme. Meanwhile, Brand and station controller Lesley Douglas have decided to resign.

Speaking on Radio 5 Live, Parky claimed: “In the end what Brand did, and what Jonathan did, was indefensible. Jonathan should have more oil in his lamp frankly, more sense.”

“I don’t have an opinion on the other guy,” he continued. “He’s generously called a comedian.”

However, the veteran TV star insisted that the incident would not have a long-term impact on Ross’s career.

“As for Jonathan, he’ll come back, he’ll be fine,” Parky explained. “With Jonathan what you see is what you get and he’s been a popular member of our broadcasting elite now for 20 years or so, so he’s got to be doing something right.”

Parkinson’s comments are in stark contrast to those made by Sir Terry Wogan yesterday. In an interview, the popular breakfast show host claimed: “What the BBC have done to Jonathan by the suspension is terminal. It is very damaging to him and I would not be surprised if he did not come back.”