Vicar's son at heart of Brand row

A former Walsall schooolboy is under investigation by broadcasting chiefs as to whether he sanctioned the obscene phonecall that has left BBC facing a storm of complaints.

Nic Philps was schooled at private Hydesville Tower and Queen Mary's Grammar School and went on to achieve early success as a producer at Radio 2 at just 25.

But today he was facing questions after it emerged he apparently gave the thumbs-up to broadcast the answerphone messages left on actor Andrew Sach's phone by Jonathan Ross.

Mr Philps, who produces Russell Brand's Radio 2 show, contacted Mr Sachs to ask him if he minded the messages being aired.

Despite being told Mr Sachs, who played Manuel in Fawlty Towers, was not happy for the calls to go ahead, Mr Philps is alleged to have told Brand he could use them. It has sparked an outcry with calls for Brand and Ross to be sacked.

The 25-year-old, who now lives in London, grew up in Walsall and his father Mark Philps was once vicar at St Matthew's Church in Tipton.

As a youngster, he was a shining star with big ambitions to eventually work in the media.

In 1994 he was among a group of youngsters chosen to perform alongside Phillip Schofield in Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Birmingham Hippodrome.

And in 2000, he was among four pupils who flew to New York to take part in a competition measuring presentation skills.

After leaving Sheffield University, Mr Philps achieved early success after landing a job at the BBC.

After starting out as a broadcast assistant, he worked on popular programmes such as the Michael Parkinson and Sarah Kennedy shows on Radio 2.

He worked on Chris Evans critically-acclaimed drive-time show before landing the late-night slot with Russell Brand.

Evans affectionately called him Naughty Nic on the show, a nickname which became popular with listeners.

Mr Philps' father even came on air during one show with Evans, where he turned up to bless the show live on air.

He now works at the Anglican Christ Church in Roxeth, near Harrow-on-the-Hill, North London.

Recently Nic Philps was pictured larking about with Brand as they presented the comedian's radio show live from an ice cream van in Bristol. As producer of Brand's slot, he is thought to earn around £25,000 a year.

Mr Philps has refused to speak about his involvement with the show or the incident which has left some calling for his job.

BBC stars Ross and Brand left answer phone messages for the 78-year-old Fawlty Towers actor in which they told him Brand had slept with his granddaughter and joked the veteran actor might kill himself as a result.

The BBC confirmed yesterday it had received an official complaint from Mr Sachs' agent on behalf of the disgusted veteran actor.

The pre-recorded calls were aired during Brand's Radio 2 show.

The host and Ross began making calls after Mr Sachs apparently failed to answer his phone for an interview. According to Mr Sachs's spokesman, Mr Philps conducted the phone call about whether the recordings could be used perfectly pleasantly. Normally, it would be then be up to him, as producer of the programme, to make a decision on airing the piece.

However, last night it was understood a senior executive may also have sanctioned the broadcast. Ultimate responsibility lies with Lesley Douglas, who is controller of Radio 2 and Radio 6 Music.

By Ben Lammas