Bear Grylls has defended baptising Russell Brand in the River Thames in 2024, saying the comedian's Christian conversion "seemed genuine" and that "judgement is for the courts and God". The adventurer spoke out after Brand was found guilty of rape and sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday (November 5).
Brand, 51, was convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault following a trial lasting nearly four weeks and now faces a significant prison sentence. He was cleared of two further charges of rape and one allegation of attempted indecent assault.
Grylls Responds to the Verdict
Following the trial, Grylls said he thought Brand's conversion "seemed genuine" when he attended the private baptism near Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, in early 2024. At the time, Brand shared a photo on Instagram showing him embracing Grylls, with the caption: "Me, Bear Grylls, The River Thames and of course, The Holy Spirit."
Reacting to the guilty verdict, Grylls wrote on X: "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."
Faith and Justice
Grylls added: "It’s part of our calling as men and women of faith, to love and serve anyone. It is the sick that need healing. 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."
He continued: "I can’t imagine how hard this time has been for the victims, the heroes of the day." Grylls is a Christian and published the devotional book Soul Fuel in 2019 and The Greatest Story Ever Told: An Eyewitness Account, a retelling of the story of Jesus, in 2025. Brand published his book, How To Become A Christian In 7 Days, in May 2026.
Conviction Details
Brand was found guilty of preying on women he encountered while becoming one of Britain’s best-known stand-up comedians, a lauded TV and radio host, and a Hollywood movie star. His victims came to court to reveal how Brand had forced them into sexual activity, sometimes within seconds of them first meeting, using his fame to determinedly pursue a goal of sex with 5,000 women.
