Bear Grylls has confirmed that he helped baptize Russell Brand, the British actor and comedian who has faced historical allegations of rape and sexual assault.
Brand has converted to Christianity and told his social media followers that he was baptized during an “incredible” ceremony in the River Thames supported by Grylls.
‘I want to thank Bear Grylls and my mate Joe, the two men that stood either side of me and flanked me for the baptism itself,’ Brand said in a video.
Grylls, a devout Christian and star of shows including Netflix’s You vs. Wild, later confirmed his role in a statement to The Daily Mail newspaper.
“Faith and spiritual moments in our lives are really personal, but it is a privilege to stand beside anyone when they express a humble need for forgiveness and strength from above,” he said. “Friendships when we go through tough times are worth so much.”
Brand appeared on Nat Geo’s Running Wild with Bear Grylls: The Challenge last year, during which they ventured across the Hebrides and discussed the comedian’s relationship with Katy Perry.
Brand was last year accused of rape, sexual assault, and emotional abuse by four women in a joint investigation by The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches.
He has strongly refuted the allegations. “The relationships that I had were absolutely always consensual,” Brand said. “I was always transparent about that then, almost too transparent.”
Brand is believed to have been questioned by police in relation to historical sex offences. He was interviewed under caution by Metropolitan Police detectives for a second time last December.
