Bear Grylls speaks out on Russell Brand rape conviction after facing backlash for baptism ceremony

Brand, 51, was convicted on Thursday of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault against four women, following a trial lasting nearly four weeks.

The offences took place between 1999 and 2009, a period during which he rose from stand-up comedian to Hollywood film star.

Writing on X to his 1.4 million followers, TV adventurer Mr Grylls said: “Brand’s faith seemed genuine to me at the time when I was a guest at his private baptism.”

“It is right that justice has now been served,” he wrote. “I can’t imagine how hard this time has been for the victims, the heroes of the day.”

Brand faces sentencing on Monday.

The baptism took place in the River Thames near Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, in spring 2024 – just months after a joint investigation by The Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches had exposed accusations of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse against Brand.

Brand posted a photograph on Instagram showing Mr Grylls embracing him in the water, with the caption: “Me, Bear Grylls, The River Thames and of course, The Holy Spirit.”

At the time, Mr Grylls described standing alongside Brand as a “privilege” and defended his involvement by invoking his Christian principles.

“Faith and spiritual moments in our lives are really personal,” he said at the time. “But it is a privilege to stand beside anyone when they express a humble need for forgiveness and strength from above.”

The ceremony drew sharp criticism, with Guardian columnist Marina Hyde quipping: “So Russell Brand was baptised in the Thames, and all his sins were washed away. Cheaper than a lawyer, I suppose.”

In his latest statement, devout Christian Mr Grylls expanded on his reasoning for attending the ceremony, drawing parallels with his wider faith work.

“I have attended a few now. Even visiting in prisons with people who have committed terrible crimes,” he wrote. “It’s part of our calling as men and women of faith, to love and serve anyone. It is the sick that need healing.”

Mr Grylls made clear he did not wish to stand in the way of anyone seeking religion, regardless of their actions. “Judgement is for the courts and God… I wouldn’t want to ever discourage someone’s coming to faith,” he added.

The two men had developed a friendship after Brand appeared on Mr Grylls’ reality programme Running Wild, during which they travelled across the Hebrides and discussed Brand’s relationship with Katy Perry.

During the trial, prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC told the court that Brand was “childlike in his expectation that his every desire should be met” and cared only about his “birthright orgasm.”

The jury heard he treated women as “disposable” amusements to satisfy a “voracious” sexual appetite.

He was acquitted of two additional rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault.

Brand showed no emotion as the verdicts were delivered. He was refused bail and remanded in custody, with sentencing scheduled for Monday, November 9.

Six women gave evidence against Brand during the trial, while the former comedian was unable to persuade any celebrity friends or former showbusiness colleagues to testify in his defence.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed on Thursday that investigations are ongoing into two further allegations of rape against Brand, including one from a woman who was a 16-year-old schoolgirl when she dated him. Officers have warned that additional victims could still come forward.

The verdict prompted reactions from across the showbiz world.

JK Rowling was among the prominent voices sharing their thoughts on the verdict as she condemned his supporters who continue to defend the comedian.