Nominee Ross won't be awards show host

LONDON, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- Comedian Jonathan Ross, who has been suspended after a radio prank drew widespread criticism, won't be the host of the British Comedy Awards as planned.

A new master of ceremonies for the December show has yet to be announced, the BBC said.

Ross had been scheduled for the gig, which is to air on ITV, but backed out after the radio scandal put him in a negative light.

Ross was suspended after he and comedian Russell Brand left sexually explicit messages on the voice mail of 78-year-old "Fawlty Towers" star Andrew Sachs during Brand's BBC Radio 2 show. Brand, who quit the radio show after he was suspended, has been nominated for the British Comedy Award for best live stand-up.

Ross, who is still serving his three-month suspension, is nominated for the prize for best comedy show for his television chat show, "Friday Night with Jonathan Ross," the BBC said.