Prank calls to Andrew Sachs was a 'mistake', says Russell Brand

In an upcoming memoir, Russell Brand has admitted that his infamous calls to actor Andrew Sachs were "a mistake".

The comic quit his radio show in 2008 after he and fellow broadcaster Jonathan Ross were heavily criticised for leaving "grossly offensive" messages on TV star Sachs' answer machine during a live broadcast.

The pair discussed Brand's fling with the 80-year-old's granddaughter Georgina Baillie.

The funnyman, now engaged to Katy Perry, apologised at the time but was adamant he would not change his controversial comedy act.

But in upcoming autobiography 'Booky Wook 2: This Time It's Personal', Brand admits he regrets the exchange - because he would hate for his own family dramas to be broadcast to the world.

"It was a mistake to leave those messages and upset Andrew Sachs. Even though he has since joked that he's done quite well out of the affair, it must have hurt him," the Daily Express quoted him as saying.

"I know what it's like to have complicated familial relationships and to have those fragile feelings jangled for a gag is wounding.

"Now, more than I did at the time, I see how wrong it was to use such private matters to fuel humour and I hope he and his family know of my regret; it was certainly apparent in the apology I sent him and, I hope, clear in these words I now write," he added.