Ross cleared on 'homophobic' remark - 6th Jul 2009 6:16pm
Ross cleared on 'homophobic' remark
Jonathan Ross did not breach broadcasting rules when he suggested that parents should put their sons up for adoption if they wanted a Hannah Montana MP3 player, industry watchdog Ofcom has found.
The comments, made on his Radio 2 show, provoked 61 complaints from listeners who said Ross was being homophobic.
During the broadcast, on May 9, he discussed prizes in a competition themed around the fictional teenage pop star.
He said: "If your son asks for a Hannah Montana MP3 player, you might want to already think about putting him down for adoption before he brings his... erm... partner home."
But Ofcom found that the comment was "clearly presented as a joke" and part of Ross's "irreverent, challenging and at times risque humour".
The presenter found himself in hot water last year after he and fellow DJ Russell Brand left obscene messages on actor Andrew Sachs's answerphone, which were also broadcast on Radio 2.
Ross was suspended for 12 weeks by BBC bosses, but walked straight back into controversy on his radio show by joking about having sex with an elderly woman.
THE ECHO
Jonathan Ross did not breach broadcasting rules when he suggested that parents should put their sons up for adoption if they wanted a Hannah Montana MP3 player, industry watchdog Ofcom has found.
The comments, made on his Radio 2 show, provoked 61 complaints from listeners who said Ross was being homophobic.
During the broadcast, on May 9, he discussed prizes in a competition themed around the fictional teenage pop star.
He said: "If your son asks for a Hannah Montana MP3 player, you might want to already think about putting him down for adoption before he brings his... erm... partner home."
But Ofcom found that the comment was "clearly presented as a joke" and part of Ross's "irreverent, challenging and at times risque humour".
The presenter found himself in hot water last year after he and fellow DJ Russell Brand left obscene messages on actor Andrew Sachs's answerphone, which were also broadcast on Radio 2.
Ross was suspended for 12 weeks by BBC bosses, but walked straight back into controversy on his radio show by joking about having sex with an elderly woman.
THE ECHO
