Russell and TV talk show host Jonathan Ross left several voicemail messages on Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs’ answering machine, some of which mentioned that Russell had been intimate with the pensioner’s grand daughter.
6 years on, the comedian has decided to apologise to Andrew Sachs in a letter.
The note, which was published by the Daily Mail, reads:
"I apologise for the distress, sadness and turbulence this has brought into your life. I apologise for the damage I have caused to your family relationships and for robbing you of your peace of mind.
“This behaviour and the consequences you have suffered as a result of my actions are unacceptable. This is not the man I want to be and I wholeheartedly apologise to you both. I am sorry too that it has taken so long for me to write to you expressing this sentiment to which the two of you are entitled... please do not hesitate to contact me... My sincere apologies for the hurt I have caused you and your family."
Following the prank, Russell famously quit his radio show and Jonathan Ross was suspended.
Several other people also lost their jobs as a result of the misguided prank.