Russell Brand back on air

Russell Brand returned to the airwaves in typically controversial style.

Look who's back: Russel Brand makes his comeback

The comedian, who quit the BBC after facing a storm of criticism over the "Sachsgate" scandal, launched his new radio show by phoning Jonathan Ross as they joked about the furore.

In the first radio broadcast together since they left lewd messages on Andrew Sachs's answer phone machine, TV host Ross told Brand: "You're not back on the radio are you?"

Banter: Brand on an episode of Jonathan Ross's show

Brand's co-presenter Oasis star Noel Gallagher accused the pair of failing to learn their lessons after Ross agreed to be interviewed on the new TalkSPORT show.

Ross then told Gallagher: "We'll listen to it very carefully before it goes out. Noel, you can sit back and be the grown up one."

Brand later attempted to speak to Barack Obama, in a bid to find out if the US president was the world's most famous West Ham United supporter.

In a message left for Obama, he said: "Dear Barack Obama, we are calling you to find out if you are in fact the world's most-famous West Ham supporter as it is claimed.

"I haven't ever seen you at Upton Park, and what formation do you suggest Gian Franco Zola plays?"

The comedian was hosting a pre-recorded two-hour football special on talkSPORT, broadcasting at 9pm.

Brand's return to radio comes six months after he left the BBC in disgrace following the obscene phone messages scandal.

The two presenters said Brand had slept with the 78-year-old Fawlty Towers actor's granddaughter, Georgina Baillie, 23, and joked that Sachs might kill himself.

Two senior Radio 2 executives also resigned in the wake of the scandal, while Ross was suspended without pay for 12 weeks.

TalkSPORT said listeners could expect "a heavy dose of cutting-edge comedy, controversial commentary and the odd eye-opening anecdote" in the show.

The show was billed as a one-off, but it is understood that it may become a regular feature if it is a success.