Bear Grylls Calls for Justice After Russell Brand Rape Conviction
The adventurer defended his role in Brand's 2024 baptism while calling the acquitted victims heroes in a social media post.
By Lauren Foster ·
Russell Brand was found guilty on Thursday in a London criminal trial, leading Bear Grylls to publicly address the outcome of the case. The adventurer and television host spoke out on Friday regarding the verdict against the comedian and actor, who was convicted on one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
Grylls had drawn public attention in 2024 when he served as a guest at Brand’s private baptism in the River Thames. This event took place less than a year after the Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches docuseries exposed the initial allegations against Brand. Grylls also hosted Brand on his show Running Wild in 2023, prior to the release of that investigative series.
In a post on X on Friday, Grylls defended his presence at the religious ceremony. He stated that Brand’s faith appeared genuine to him at the time. Grylls noted that he has attended similar ceremonies in the past, including visits to prisons for individuals who had committed serious crimes. He described such acts as part of the calling for people of faith to love and serve others, adding that judgment belongs to the courts and God.
Grylls emphasized that he would not want to discourage anyone from coming to faith. However, he affirmed that it is right that justice has been served. He specifically referred to the women who testified against Brand as the heroes of the day.
The verdict followed a trial in which six women testified about alleged incidents that occurred between 1999 and 2009. Brand had pleaded not guilty and denied all allegations. The court acquitted him of two other rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault.
Following the ruling, police took Brand into custody to await his sentencing, which is scheduled for Monday. The Metropolitan Police also announced that they are currently investigating further rape allegations from two additional women.
Brand has spoken extensively about his conversion to Christianity on social media channels since the allegations became public. Grylls' comments mark a notable shift in the public narrative surrounding the former host of Running Wild, who had maintained a close relationship with Brand during the period leading up to the trial.
