Bill Cosby's lost his fair share of high profile friends since his drug and molestation charges took over the media, but one major player who refused to leave his side is fellow comic Steve Harvey.

In fact, Harvey recently explained that his friendship with the fallen TV dad had to take a back seat for a minute, and the decision wasn't his idea at all ? it was actually Cosby's.

Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Harvey explained that he reached out to Cosby as soon as the allegations spread like wildfire, but was advised by the legend, himself, to keep his distance.

"When I heard all the trouble he was in, I called and asked him how he was doing," he said. "You know what he says to me? 'Hey man, I appreciate you calling, but just stay away from me right now. You don't need none of this on you. You're doing good. Whatever happens to me, happens to me, but don't you get none of this on you.'" Thats an amazing thing for a guy to say."

The talk show host also added that while he hasn't spoken to Cosby in a while, he will always hold a special place in his heart for what he did for him and his family.

"I haven't talked to him in a few months, but when I'm your friend, I'm your friend," he said. "Bill Cosby helped my sons at Morehouse [College], and he taught me how to do this business. He didn't even know me and he taught me how to do this business."

Cosby, 80, is currently still in legal hot water after he was charged with sexually assaulting former Temply University basketball manager Andrea Constand in 2004.

See why Harvey was recently slammed in the BET Breaks video, above.