Noel Fielding has spoken publicly for the first time since Russell Brand was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison for one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. The 53-year-old presenter said he was "horrified and deeply disturbed" by the crimes and claimed he had been unaware of Brand's behaviour until the allegations became public.
Professional relationship only
Fielding, who co-hosts The Great British Bake Off, insisted his connection with Brand had been professional rather than personal and said he had not been in contact with him for many years. He added that he regretted jokes he made alongside the disgraced comedian, describing them as "horrible and inappropriate."
The pair were frequent collaborators during the 2000s, working together on television, radio and live comedy. They appeared on shows including The Big Fat Quiz of the Year and at award ceremonies, and Fielding made guest appearances on Brand's radio programmes.
Last joint appearance in 2019
Their final known appearance together was on The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer in 2019, recorded in 2018, when Brand created a 3D biscuit showstopper depicting the birth of his second daughter. Fielding was hosting the show at the time and continues in that role, now alongside Alison Hammond.
One of their most memorable joint appearances was on Channel 4's Big Fat Quiz of the Year in 2007, hosted by Jimmy Carr, with Jonathan Ross, David Mitchell, Rob Brydon and Lily Allen also on the panel.
Resurfaced clip criticised
A clip from that programme has resurfaced showing Brand and Fielding making jokes about rape during an exchange involving Allen, the only woman on the panel. In the clip, Ross joked about Allen being seated next to the pair, and Fielding responded: "How dare you? We're not rapists." Brand then asked Fielding whether he had committed rape, prompting the Mighty Boosh star to pull his cape over his face and joke about leaving the scene of a crime.
Allen later described the comments as "really horrendous" in hindsight during a 2023 interview with Grazia. Fielding has not been accused of any wrongdoing, and there is no suggestion he knew about Brand's crimes.
