Bear Grylls has said Russell Brand's Christian faith 'seemed genuine' when he helped baptise the comedian in the River Thames in 2024, despite Brand's subsequent conviction for rape and three sexual assaults. The Man vs. Wild presenter addressed the verdict on Friday, 6 November, writing on X: 'Brand's faith seemed genuine to me at the time when I was a guest at his private baptism.'
Grylls also acknowledged the women at the centre of the case, describing them as 'the heroes of the day' and saying justice had been served. His comments came a day after a jury at Southwark Crown Court in London convicted Brand, 51, of offences against four women committed between 2004 and 2009.
The Get Him to the Greek actor denied all seven charges against him and was acquitted of two further rape counts and one charge of attempted indecent assault. He was remanded in custody following Thursday's verdict and is due to be sentenced on Monday, 9 November.
Why Did Bear Grylls Help Baptise Russell Brand?
Grylls and Brand already knew each other from Running Wild With Bear Grylls: The Challenge. The comedian appeared in the survival series in August 2023, joining Grylls for an expedition across Scotland's Hebrides islands. Their friendship continued after sexual misconduct allegations against Brand became public in September that year.
Bear Grylls and Russell Brand: 2 fakes who deserved each other. On ‘Born Survivor’ Grylls claimed to be surviving against the odds in a volcanic wilderness. He was staying in a luxury hotel nearby and the molten lava was special effects.
— Malcolm Clark (@TwisterFilm) November 7, 2026
“Judge them by their works”
Matthew 7-16 pic.twitter.com/7J4tl9atcQ
On 28 April 2024, Grylls joined Brand and a friend named Joe during a private baptism near Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. Brand later posted a photograph of the three embracing in the water, captioning it: 'Me, Bear Grylls, The River Thames and of course, The Holy Spirit.' In a video that followed, he thanked the two men for standing beside him during the ceremony.
Grylls, who has written extensively about his Christian beliefs, previously explained his participation as a gesture of support for someone seeking forgiveness. His response to the conviction returned to the same principle. He said believers should be willing to love and serve others, including people who have committed serious crimes, without discouraging them from pursuing faith.
Grylls Praises Victims After Guilty Verdict
The survival expert's statement did not challenge the jury's findings or seek to excuse Brand's offences. Instead, he said the courts should deliver justice while people of faith could still offer spiritual support. He also referred to previous baptisms he had attended and visits to people who had committed serious crimes in prison.
Brand’s faith seemed genuine to me at the time when I was a guest at his private baptism.
— Bear Grylls OBE (@BearGrylls) November 6, 2026
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…
Brand was found guilty of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others, including incidents linked to a radio station and television work. Prosecutors said he had used his growing celebrity status to exploit women during the years he became a prominent comedian, broadcaster and Hollywood actor. Police said investigators interviewed more than 100 witnesses and examined over 1,400 documents during their inquiry.
The jury also acquitted Brand on three separate charges, and he maintained throughout the trial that he had never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity. Following the verdict, the judge refused him bail and warned that he faced a significant prison term. His precise sentence remained unknown ahead of Monday's hearing.
Brand Embraced Christianity After Abuse Allegations
Brand's baptism marked a public shift in an online persona increasingly centred on religion. He subsequently published How To Become a Christian in Seven Days in May 2026, describing his conversion and encouraging readers to explore Christianity. The book followed his earlier career as a stand-up comedian, television presenter and actor in Forgetting Sarah Marshall.
Please keep Russel Brand in your prayers.
— Fr Calvin Robinson ©️®️ (@calvinrobinson) April 26, 2024
As he approaches his Baptism, and immediately afterwards, he is going to be under heavy attack from the enemy.
There will be those who tempt him, doubt him, resent him, trip him up, fight over his denomination 🙏pic.twitter.com/xwYFCDCfO6
Brand's sentencing hearing is expected to include victim impact statements before the court determines his punishment.
