Bear Grylls on Brand's baptism: faith 'seemed genuine' before rape conviction
Bear Grylls said Russell Brand's Christian conversion appeared sincere when he attended his private Thames baptism. Brand, 51, was found guilty of rape and sexual assault.
Bear Grylls says Brand's faith appeared genuine at Thames baptism before guilty verdict
Bear Grylls has said Russell Brand's conversion to Christianity "seemed genuine to me at the time" when he attended the comedian's private baptism — a ceremony that took place in early 2024 in the River Thames near Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, the Evening Standard reports.
Brand, 51, was subsequently found guilty of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others during his showbusiness career and now faces a significant prison sentence.
Grylls, a practising Christian and TV adventurer, helped conduct the baptism. Brand at the time posted a photograph on Instagram of Grylls embracing him alongside the caption: "Me, Bear Grylls, The River Thames and of course, The Holy Spirit."
Following the guilty verdict, Grylls responded on X, writing: "Brand's faith seemed genuine to me at the time when I was a guest at his private baptism. I have attended a few now. Even visiting in prisons with people who have committed terrible crimes. It's part of our calling as men and women of faith, to love and serve anyone. It is the sick that need healing."
He added: "Judgement is for the courts and God… I wouldn't want to ever discourage someone's coming to faith. It is right that justice has now been served. I can't imagine how hard this time has been for the victims, the heroes of the day."
Grylls published the devotional book Soul Fuel in 2019, and a retelling of the life of Jesus, The Greatest Story Ever Told: An Eyewitness Account, in 2025. Brand published his own book, How To Become A Christian In 7 Days, in May 2026.
Southwark Crown Court heard how Brand had preyed on women he encountered while building his career as one of Britain's best-known stand-up comedians, a television and radio host, and a Hollywood actor. Six women gave evidence against him. His victims described being forced into sexual activity, sometimes within seconds of meeting him, with Brand reportedly boasting he was pursuing sex with 5,000 women and would not stop until he had secured what he called his "birthright orgasm".
Brand could not persuade any celebrity friends or former showbusiness colleagues to give evidence in his defence. He was cleared of two additional rape charges and one allegation of attempted indecent assault. The former comedian was once married to singer Katy Perry.
Source: Evening Standard