"Brand quits BBC over prank calls"

Brand quits BBC over prank calls
(from BBC News)

While I don't doubt his apology in the slightest, I do wonder if this resignation is a strategic move for the BBC. Brand has plenty of other avenues -- a Channel 4 show, standup, a movie career -- and was at the centre of the scandal, while Ross is 'Mr BBC', and I'm sure neither he nor BBC bosses want to have to fire him. Brand accepting responsibility and resigning also looks better than a weeks/months-long investigation/battle resulting in them having to kick him out. With one of them gone of their own volition, and -- importantly -- Sachs accepting their apology and not wishing to take matters further, this hopefully means Ross can be restored to the BBC, and sooner rather than later.

Another point:

4.2 million people watched Jonathan Ross' show last week. More will have watched it via the Saturday repeat, iPlayer, and plain old recording it. 3 million people regularly listen to his radio show.

0.01 million people's complaints have led to him being suspended.

I have no doubt some of those ratings would drop off in the wake of this massive overreaction, but I think many would be surprised how small the drop would be -- no doubt indicating the silent majority who realise how overblown this has become.

So, where do you think the public interest lies?