Sandler Backs Brand Over Radio Scandal

Brand quit his BBC Radio 2 gig after he and fellow broadcaster Jonathan Ross were slammed for leaving "grossly offensive" voicemail messages on former Fawlty Towers star Andrew Sachs' answer machine during a live broadcast in October (08).

The pair discussed Brand's fling with the 78-year-old's granddaughter Georgina Baillie.

And Sandler insists the funnyman deeply regrets his actions and just wants to move on after the scandal.

The Hollywood star says, "He isn't happy and he is regretful and looking forward to moving on. I didn't hear the tape. I think a lot of comedians are trying to make people laugh all the time and sometimes you're in a place where you hurt people.

"But he is a good man. He is sorry too. You've got to move on."

Brand, who fled to Los Angeles in the wake of the scandal, made one of his first British public appearances at the London premiere of Bedtime Stories on Thursday night (11Dec08) - and Sandler was happy to see him there: "Everyone was really good to Russell."