RUSSELL BRAND - ANDREW SACHS THANKS ROSS AND BRAND

ANDREW SACHS THANKS ROSS AND BRAND

Andrew Sachs has thanked Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand for the infamous radio broadcast last year for raising his profile.

In an interview with the Guardian, the actor said: "I came out of it very well.

"Yes, my profile's up. Great! They did me good. Thank you very much."

Sachs also did not deny that publishers have shown more interest in his autobiography since the show, which papers named 'Sachsgate'.

Thousands complained last October after Ross and Brand left messages on Sachs' answering machine.

Shortly after the media picked up on the story, Ross had been suspended by the BBC and Brand had resigned from Radio 2, followed by the station's controller, Lesley Douglas.

Sachs is about to start a three-month role on Coronation Street as Ramsey, the brother of Norris Cole.

Although he was offered the part in July, before the broadcast, he only signed the contract in January.

"For the producers, all the publicity was just a happy coincidence," Sachs told the paper.

On Jonathan Ross, Sachs said: "Well, I think he's got great talent. Although he talks too fast - so fast sometimes I can't understand him. He's got a very quick brain. If only he'd get rid of the other stuff, he'd be twice as good. But the sexual innuendo and the way he treats his guests is not good."

Sachs added he does not really understand Brand. "I think he's aimed at a much younger audience than me," he told the Guardian.

"No wonder he doesn't attract many of the more mature generation."

Last month, the BBC was fined £150,000 over the phone calls by the media watchdog Ofcom.