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Ross faces new calls to quit over sex jokes about woman, 86
Georgina Littlejohn26.01.09
Jonathan Ross faced new calls to resign today after the family of an Alzheimer's sufferer reacted with horror at his “jokey” sex claims.
The disgraced broadcaster marked his return to his BBC Radio 2 show with a gag about having sex with the 86-year-old. He immediately insisted it was an off-the-cuff remark that was not directed at a real person.
But today Francisca Guzman's son expressed hurt that his mother, who has had dementia for three years, was the butt of Ross's joke. Jose Maria Moreno said: “It is offensive. My mother's mental health should not be a subject for comedy and Ross should be sacked.”
The remarks came eight minutes and 35 seconds into Saturday's comeback radio show after Ross's three-month suspension following the Andrew Sachs scandal.
Ross, who earns £6 million a year, and his producer Andy Davies were discussing how they had spent their time during the suspension.
Mr Davies, 43, said he had done some bricklaying in the garden of his villa in Spain but kept getting grabbed by a frisky woman aged about 80. He said: There's a woman in the village who's getting on a bit, keeps trying to kiss me.” Ross declared: “Eighty, oh God! I think you should, just for charity. Give her one last night, will you? One last night before the grave. Would it kill you?”
Although Mrs Guzman was not named, she is well known in the Andalusian village of Conchar, near Granada, where Mr Davies has his villa.
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