Noel Fielding speaks out on Russell Brand's crimes

Noel Fielding is “horrified and deeply disturbed to learn of Russell Brand’s crimes”.

The Great British Bake Off star had a high profile friendship with Brand and frequently worked with him after first meeting at the NME Awards in the early 2000s, but following Brand’s conviction for rape and sexual assault, Noel has insisted their friendship was exaggerated for “the cameras”.

The pair frequently collaborated on comedy sketches, including appearances on The Big Fat Quiz of the Year. Noel also appeared on Brand’s BBC Radio 2 show.

He told The Sun in a statement: “I was horrified and deeply disturbed to learn of Russell Brand’s crimes, which I was completely unaware of until they became public knowledge. My thoughts are with the women whose courage brought him to justice.

“I appeared on TV, radio and live charity shows with him, and whilst we played it up for the cameras and in the media, I considered it a professional relationship, rather than a personal one. I have had no contact with him for many years.

“Looking back at some of the jokes I made alongside him I was appalled. They were horrible and inappropriate, and I very much regret them.”

Russell Brand was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison this week, after a jury found him guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault against four women between 2004 and 2009.

The jury acquitted Brand on two more rape charges, as well as one count of attempted indecent assault.

He remains under investigation over two further allegations of rape.