‘Jonathan uses F-word, it’s v funny’

This is the transcript of the email Dave Barber, Radio 2's head of compliance, sent to Lesley Douglas the Radio 2 Controller on 16 October:

"Russell is pre-recorded this week with Jonathan Ross as his co-host. Jonathan uses the Fword 52 mins into the first hour in a sequence about Russell 'fucking' Andrew Sachs's granddaughter. They are speaking into Andrew Sachs's answer machine at the time, and it's very funny - there then follow more calls to the answer phone in the second hour, again v funny.

"Having discussed it with the producer and listened to the sequence, I think we should keep in and put a 'strong language' warning at the top of the hour. I think it is editorially justified in this context and certainly within audience expectations for Russell's show and the slot. Certainly preferable to bleeping, which would make it obvious anyway (and we don't bleep now for this reason). Jonathan also apologises and Russell's shocked reaction is hilarious. Andrew Sachs is aware and is happy with the results which were recorded his end for him to hear. Are you happy with this as a plan of action?"

The report says "the controller was away from her office on business and did not respond that day".

The following day at 12:22pm, the report says, "the controller sent a one-word reply from her Blackberry authorising inclusion of the material - 'Yes'."