Noel Fielding, the presenter of The Great British Bake Off, has expressed deep dismay over jokes he made alongside Russell Brand in the past, following Brand's conviction for rape and sexual assault. In a statement to The Sun, Fielding said he was "horrified and deeply disturbed" to learn of Brand's crimes, which he claimed he was unaware of until they became public.

Resurfaced Footage Sparks Outrage

Fielding's comments come after old footage of the pair joking about rape on Channel 4's Big Fat Quiz of the Year in 2007 resurfaced. In the clip, Fielding and Brand, along with presenter Jonathan Ross, made light of sexual violence. Fielding described some of the jokes as "horrible and inappropriate" and said he very much regrets them.

"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," Fielding said. He added that he had considered his relationship with Brand as professional rather than personal and had not been in contact with him for many years.

Jonathan Ross Also Distances Himself

Jonathan Ross has also released a statement, saying his "thoughts are with the many, many women who have bravely come forward." The resurfaced footage includes a clip from The Russell Brand Show on BBC Radio 2 in 2007, where Brand joked about kissing and holding an underage grasshopper, with Fielding responding in a way that seemed to condone the behavior.

Brand and Fielding also performed charity gigs together as The Goth Detectives. Fielding's statement underscores the growing fallout from Brand's conviction, which has led to further allegations and a re-examination of past media content.

Brand Jailed for 10 and a Half Years

Russell Brand was jailed for 10 and a half years for raping a woman and sexually assaulting three others. Since his sentencing, more women have come forward with allegations, which are being investigated by police. Brand has denied non-consensual sexual activity. He is currently being held at HMP Wandsworth.

The case has prompted a wider conversation about accountability and the entertainment industry's role in perpetuating harmful attitudes. Fielding's remarks reflect a reckoning with past behavior, as public figures distance themselves from Brand and express support for survivors.

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