Noel Gallagher reportedly severed his decades-long friendship with Russell Brand months before the comedian was found guilty of rape and sexual assault, according to a source.
Brand, 51, was convicted at Southwark Crown Court after a four-week trial of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He was immediately remanded in custody ahead of his formal sentencing hearing.
Friendship Began in 2004
The pair first met in 2004 after Gallagher attended one of Brand's comedy shows. They maintained a close, private friendship, and in 2016 were spotted together at London's Upton Park watching West Ham and Manchester City play each other.
In 2009, Brand told Q Magazine that Gallagher was the person he turned to in a crisis, praising the guitarist as "the sweetest, most thoughtful, sensitive person" who gives "very good advice."
Brand also credited Gallagher for standing by him after backlash over a voicemail message left for Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs. Gallagher reportedly told Brand: "It's a f**king load of b**locks, don't take it seriously."
Family Ties and Fallout
Their friendship extended to their families. Gallagher attended Brand's 2010 wedding to Katy Perry, and Brand served as best man at Gallagher's 2011 wedding to Sarah MacDonald.
According to a source, Gallagher's daughter Anaïs, 26, urged her father to end the friendship, a move that reportedly occurred just months before his worldwide Oasis reunion tour. The insider told The Sun: "Anaïs realised that her dad's close links to Brand and all the stuff they'd done together wasn't a good look. She's very PR savvy."
"There was a discussion, and Noel agreed cutting ties was best. Anaïs, Noel and the rest of the family are horrified at Brand's alleged behaviour and had no idea what was going on," the insider added.
Conviction and Remand
Brand denied any wrongdoing and maintained his innocence throughout the trial. The presiding judge, Mr Justice Joel Bennathan, stated: "My current view is that I therefore have to remand you in custody, not least because the temptation to avoid coming back to court to receive that sentence will be overwhelming."
Brand will remain in custody until his formal sentencing hearing.
