Jonathan Ross named BAFTAs host

LONDON, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- British TV and radio star Jonathan Ross, who was recently suspended for an unpopular on-air prank, has been named host of the BAFTA film awards show.

Ross was suspended without pay from his shows for three months 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, and the segment drew widespread criticism.

Brand, Radio 2 head Lesley Douglas and David Barber, the executive who cleared the stunt for broadcast, all resigned because of the incident.

Ross, who has publicly apologized for his role in the joke gone too far, reportedly will be back on television Jan. 23 and on the radio the following day.

"Here's a game you'll like," The Times of London said Ross wrote on the Twitter Web site Tuesday night. "Suggest an improbable word that I have to slip into the BAFTAs when I host them in February. Ready, set, go."

The Times said BAFTA organizers confirmed that Ross has been hired to preside over the Feb. 8 gala at London's Royal Opera House.

Ross previously served as the prize presentation's host in 1998 and 2007.