Noel Fielding Says He Has Had No Contact With Russell Brand for Years

Noel Fielding says his connection with Russell Brand was professional, not personal, and that the two have not been in touch for years. The Great British Bake Off presenter made the comments in a statement to The Sun following Brand’s conviction and prison sentence for rape and sexual assault, as described in the report. Fielding said he was “horrified and deeply disturbed” to learn of Brand’s crimes, adding that he had known nothing about them until they became public. He also sent his thoughts to the women whose courage, he said, helped bring Brand to justice. The pair had appeared together on television, radio and charity shows. They were among the guests on Channel 4’s Big Fat Quiz of the Year and performed charity gigs as The Goth Detectives. Fielding said that although they played up their association for cameras and publicity, he regarded it as a work relationship rather than a friendship. Looking back at some of the jokes he made alongside Brand, Fielding said he was appalled and regretted taking part in material he now considered horrible and inappropriate. His statement comes amid renewed attention on people who previously worked or socialised with Brand and have spoken publicly about their past associations. The report also notes that six more women have accused Brand of sexual misconduct and predatory behaviour in an investigation by The Times and The Sunday Times. These are allegations reported by those publications, distinct from the convictions described in the article. Fielding’s comments follow a statement from presenter Jonathan Ross, who said he was horrified by the revelations about Brand and David Walliams and that he had been unaware of their conduct during a period when he was on friendly terms with both men. The article says Brand is expected to serve two thirds of his sentence before release on licence and will remain on the sex offenders’ register for life.