Noel Fielding says he was 'horrified' by Russell Brand's crimes

Russell Brand was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison on Monday for raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others. Now his former comedy partner Noel Fielding has broken his silence on the conviction.

The Great British Bake Off presenter said he was "horrified and deeply disturbed to learn of Russell Brand's crimes" and has had no contact with his fellow comedian "for many years".

In a statement issued to the Sun, Fielding said: "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."

What did Fielding say about his relationship with Brand?

The two comedians met at the NME Awards in the early 2000s and often performed at charity gigs as a duo known as The Goth Detectives. Fielding was also a frequent guest and co-host on Brand's BBC Radio 2 show.

Fielding drew a sharp line between their public appearances and private life. "I appeared on TV, radio and live charity shows with him, and whilst we played it up for the cameras and in the media, I considered it a professional relationship, rather than a personal one," he said. "I have had no contact with him for many years."

He also addressed his own conduct. "Looking back at some of the jokes I made alongside him, I was appalled," Fielding said. "They were horrible and inappropriate, and I very much regret them."

Which jokes have resurfaced?

Footage has recently re-emerged from two broadcasts in 2007. In one, Fielding and Brand joked about rape with the TV presenter Jonathan Ross on an episode of Big Fat Quiz of the Year.

In another, from an episode of The Russell Brand Show aired in October 2007, Brand joked with Fielding about kissing and holding an underage grasshopper. Fielding, a frequent guest on the programme, asked: "How do you even know if it's a child or an adult? You don't even care, do you?"

Brand, who was 32 at the time, replied: "It's a mistake I've made. I've had a lot of problems in the past, because I thought a grasshopper was above age. Before I know it, I'm in it, right, I'm kissing it, I'm holding it. Then it turns around and looks at me with onyx eyes and says: 'I'm 12.'"

What do we know about the wider allegations?

Fielding has never been accused of misconduct. There is no suggestion he knew about Brand's behaviour towards women.

The conviction has prompted further claims. Since the sentencing, a new investigation by the Times and the Sunday Times has named six additional women accusing Brand of sexual misconduct and predatory behaviour.

Fielding's statement is the clearest distancing yet from a comedy partnership that defined both men's early-2000s careers, and it comes as the Times investigation suggests the reckoning over Brand's conduct may not yet be finished.

Information and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse issues is available from the following organisations. In the UK, Rape Crisis offers support on 0808 500 2222 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland, or 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland. In the US, Rainn offers support on 800-656-4673. In Australia, support is available at 1800Respect (1800 737 732).