Jonathan Ross's fate still undecided

LONDON, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- British radio and TV personality Jonathan Ross, suspended after a sexually explicit radio prank drew criticism, could face further penalties.

Ross, who earns about $9 million a year, is the BBC's highest-paid presenter.

He was suspended after he and comedian Russell Brand left lewd messages on the voice mail of 78-year-old "Fawlty Towers" star Andrew Sachs during Brand's BBC Radio 2 show last month.

Brand, Radio 2 head Lesley Douglas and David Barber, the executive who cleared the prank for broadcast, have resigned due to the subsequent scandal. Ross was suspended from his shows for three months.

The Daily Telegraph quoted Michael Lyons, chairman of the BBC Trust, as saying it was "premature" of Radio 2 to announce Ross would be back on the air Jan. 24.

"Let me be clear the Trust has not finished its deliberations. All of these matters are subject to the final decision," he reportedly told the House of Commons culture, media and sport select committee. "There is nothing that has been ruled out from the final deliberations of the BBC Trust."

However, the Telegraph said the Trust later issued a statement saying: "The Trust will not pre-empt its own inquiry. But based on the oral updates it has received since Oct. 30, it does not expect the director-general's final report to provide new information of substance relating to Jonathan Ross's role which would lead it to change its view on his part in this incident."

A decision regarding Ross's future is expected to be announced Friday, the Telegraph said.