Russell Brand regrets Sach controversy

London: Russell Brand, who kicked a storm with his infamous obscene messages to actor Andrew Sachs, insists that it was a mistake to make light of the star`s private matters. Brand was forced to quit his radio show in 2008 after he and fellow broadcaster Jonathan Ross were slammed by the audience for leaving offensive messages on the TV star`s answering machine during a live broadcast, the Daily Express reported.

The pair discussed Brand`s fling with the 80-year-old`s granddaughter Georgina Baillie. The comedian, who is engaged to Katy Perry, apologised at the time but was adamant he would not change his controversial comedy act. But in his upcoming autobiography `Booky Wook 2: This Time It`s Personal`, Brand admits he regrets taking pot shots at Sachs` family. "It was a mistake to leave those messages and upset Andrew Sachs. Even though he has since joked that he`s done quite well out of the affair, it must have hurt him. "I know what it`s like to have complicated familial relationships and to have those fragile feelings jangled for a gag is wounding. "Now, more than I did at the time, I see how wrong it was to use such private matters to fuel humour and I hope he and his family know of my regret; it was certainly apparent in the apology I sent him and, I hope, clear in these words I now write," said the controversial comedian, who was recently arrested for shoving a paparazzo at Los Angeles airport. PTI