Who's to blame in the chain of command?

Role: Oversees all the BBC's activities as an independent watchdog.

Director General: Mark Thompson, 50

Role: BBC's most senior official, he agreed deal to hire Ross as the corporation's highest-paid star.

Director BBC Audio and Music: Tim Davie, 41

Role: In overall charge of all radio stations' output, he has the power to sack Ross and Brand.

Radio 2 Controller: Lesley Douglas, 45

BBC manager and controller since 2004, she agreed to Russell Brand having a show on the channel.

Radio 2 Head of Programmes: Lewis Carnie

Role: He agreed the format of Russell Brand's show but is unlikely to have heard the pre-recorded calls to Andrew Sachs.

Radio 2's compliance officer, Dave Barber

Role: Responsible for programme compliance and programming commission on the network.

Brand show producer: Nic Philps, 25

Role: Told Brand and Ross they should make the prank calls despite being refused permission to do so by Sachs.