Noel Fielding Responds to Russell Brand Rape Conviction, Regrets Old Jokes

Noel Fielding, the Great British Bake-Off host and former on-screen partner of Russell Brand, said he was horrified by Brand's rape conviction and regrets jokes the two made together in the past. Fielding issued the statement to The Sun on Friday, Nov. 13, according to Us Weekly.

The reaction comes as London's Metropolitan Police confirmed that Brand remains under investigation over further rape allegations from two women, and as six more women have spoken publicly about him.

What did Noel Fielding say about Russell Brand?

Fielding, 53, said he learned of Brand's crimes only when they became public and that he knew nothing of them before. He said his thoughts are with the women whose courage brought Brand to justice.

He also addressed their shared work. Fielding said they appeared together on television, radio and live charity shows, and that while they played up a friendship for the cameras, he regarded it as a professional relationship, not a personal one. He said he has had no contact with Brand for many years.

Why is Fielding talking about old jokes?

After Brand's conviction, footage resurfaced of Brand and Fielding joking about rape on the Big Fat Quiz of the Year in 2007, Us Weekly reported. The clip drew headlines.

Fielding said that looking back at some of the jokes he made alongside Brand, he was appalled. He called them horrible and inappropriate and said he very much regrets them.

What was Brand convicted of?

Brand, 51, stood trial earlier this month. According to Us Weekly, he was found guilty on three counts of sexual assault and one count of rape. He was acquitted on three additional charges. He had pleaded not guilty to every count.

He was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison.

Brand has maintained his innocence since he was first accused of sexual misconduct in 2023. In a social media video in September 2023, he said his past relationships were always consensual and that he questioned whether there was another agenda behind the accusations. Those were his claims at the time, and the court has since reached its verdicts.

Are there more allegations against Brand?

Yes. After the conviction and sentencing, six additional women accused Brand of misconduct, according to Us Weekly. They told The Times of London on Thursday, Nov. 12, that they were initially afraid to come forward but wanted to stand with the alleged victims who testified in court.

Separately, the Metropolitan Police confirmed to Us Weekly that Brand remains under investigation for rape allegations from two unidentified women. A Met spokesperson said he was previously interviewed under caution in connection with those allegations. Files have been submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service for both complainants, and detectives remain in close contact with prosecutors as inquiries continue and further investigative work is carried out.

What does this mean for the case and for those affected?

The conviction does not close the matter. Police say the two further rape allegations are still being investigated, and prosecutors have received files on both. The police have not said whether any charges will follow. The accounts from the six additional women were given to a newspaper, and the sources do not say they have been reported to police.

The case is also prompting scrutiny of Brand's past public work. Fielding's statement shows how colleagues and former collaborators are being asked to account for old material and past associations.

The Met says anyone who wants to speak to detectives or make a report can contact the investigation team by email at [email protected]. U.S. readers who have been sexually assaulted can contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

Around Prague, based on reporting by Us Weekly