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Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bear Grylls Responds To Controversy Over His Involvement In Russell Brand's Baptism
Bear Grylls has reflected on his controversial decision to help Russell Brand with his baptism last year. In 2024, the comedian shared a picture of himself being baptised in the River Thames, with the survivalist at his side. 'Me, Bear Grylls, The River Thames and of course, The Holy Spirit,' he wrote on X alongside a picture from the day of his baptism. Me, Bear Grylls, The River Thames and of course, The Holy Spirit. — Russell Brand (@rustyrockets) May 8, 2024 Grylls' involvement in the baptism was met with a backlash as Brand's own conversion to Christianity took place around the time he wasaccused by multiple women of 'rape, sexual assaults and emotional abuse'. Brand has repeatedly denied the allegations made about him. During a recent interview with The Times to promote his new Netflix series Celebrity Bear Hunt, Grylls said of the baptism: 'I try and live in a way that I never judge and I always try and love. And that principle doesn't just apply to perfect people with perfect lives.' Grylls added that he and Brand struck up a friendship in 2023, after the Forgetting Sarah Marshall actor was a guest on his show Running Wild. 'I'm friends with many of our Running Wild guests. And I always try to think of that phrase, WWJD – what would Jesus do? That's been a guiding principle for me,' Grylls claimed. Last year, Grylls told the Daily Mail: '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. 'Friendships when we go through tough times are worth so much.' Throughout his time in the spotlight, Grylls has spoken candidly about his Christian faith, publishing a book of devotionals called Soul Fuel in 2019, followed by 2022's Mind Fuel. He has also repeatedly done promotional work for the 'Alpha course', an evangelical course involving lectures and discussions which serves as an introduction to the Christian faith. Nicole Scherzinger Slammed For Comments On Russell Brand's Post Supporting Trump Win Katharine McPhee Hits Out Over Reports Around 'Resurfaced' Clip Of Herself And Russell Brand Bear Grylls 'So Sorry' For Appearing To Look 'Cheery' Outside The Queen's Funeral
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bear Grylls defends attending Russell Brand's baptism amid sexual assault allegations
Bear Grylls has defended his decision to attend Russell Brand's baptism amid the sexual assault allegations leveled against the comedian. The survival expert, 50, was seen embracing Brand during his baptism in the River Thames in May 2024, a ceremony the actor said was an 'opportunity to leave the past behind'. The Forgetting Sarah Marshall star shared a photo of them in the water on Instagram, writing: 'Me, Bear Grylls, The River Thames and of course, The Holy Spirit.' The baptism occurred several months after Brand, 49, was accused of rape, sexual assault, and abuse by four women between 2006 and 2013. Addressing the baptism, Grylls said he struck up a friendship with Brand on his show, Running Wild, in 2023 and aims not to 'judge' him. 'I try and live in a way that I never judge and I always try and love – and that principle doesn't just apply to perfect people with perfect lives,' Grylls told The Times. Grylls went on: 'He was a Running Wild guest; I'm friends with many of our Running Wild guests. And I always try to think of that phrase, 'WWJD' – what would Jesus do? That's been a guiding principle for me.' Discussing his faith, he added: 'I don't feel particularly 'churched' in a formal sort of religion, but I have a strong Christian faith that's been part of my life for many years.' The Celebrity Bear Hunt star said his faith has been a 'quiet strength' for him during 'difficult moments' in his life. Last year, Grylls said it was a 'privilege' to attend Brand's baptism after the comedian's 'tough time'. 'Faith and spiritual moments in our lives are really personal,' he told the Daily Mail. 'But it is a privilege to stand beside anyone when they express a humble need for forgiveness and strength from above. Friendships when we go through tough times are worth so much.' Brand has been accused of sexually assaulting several women when he was at the height of his fame. The actor - who has moved to the US with his wife and three children - has denied all the allegations, insisting his sexual relationships were "absolutely always consensual". The allegations first surfaced in a joint investigation by the Times, the Sunday Times and Channel 4's Dispatches. One of the women alleged that Brand raped her against a wall in his Los Angeles home. She was treated at a rape crisis centre on the same day, according to medical records gathered as part of the investigation. A second woman alleged that he assaulted her when he was 31 and she was 16 and still at school. A third woman claimed he sexually assaulted her while she worked with him in Los Angeles, and that he threatened to take legal action if she told anyone else about her allegation. The fourth alleged that she was sexually assaulted by Brand who she said was physically and emotionally abusive towards her. He has been interviewed by police three times under caution and has not been charged.
The Independent
09-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Bear Grylls explains why he attended Russell Brand's baptism after sexual assault allegations
Bear Grylls has explained why he attended Russell Brand 's baptism after a documentary exposed allegations of sexual assault against the comedian. In May 2024, Brand revealed that he had been baptised in the River Thames, during a ceremony held in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, so he could 'leave the past behind'. The baptism occurred months after a Dispatches and Sunday Times investigation highlighted accusations by four women of rape, sexual assault and abuse at the height of Brand's fame between 2006 and 2013. Brand denies all allegations. A photo showed Grylls embracing the comedian, who wrote: 'Me, Bear Grylls, The River Thames and of course, The Holy Spirit.' Grylls addressed the baptism in a new interview while promoting Netflix show Celebrity Bear Hunt, explaining that he struck up a friendship with Brand when he appeared on Running Wild – and that his faith helped him support the comedian. 'I try and live in a way that I never judge and I always try and love – and that principle doesn't just apply to perfect people with perfect lives,' Grylls said. 'He was a Running Wild guest; I'm friends with many of our Running Wild guests. And I always try to think of that phrase, 'WWJD' – what would Jesus do? That's been a guiding principle for me.' Grylls continued: 'I don't feel particularly 'churched' in a formal sort of religion, but I have a strong Christian faith that's been part of my life for many years. 'I say my prayers in the morning, say sorry, say thank you, say help. I've seen a lot of life. I've seen a lot of loss. I've seen a lot of difficult moments. And my faith has been a quiet strength and backbone through that.' The devout christian previously described being at Brand's baptism as a 'privilege' after the comedian's 'tough time'. 'Faith and spiritual moments in our lives are really personal,' he told The Daily Mail. 'But it is a privilege to stand beside anyone when they express a humble need for forgiveness and strength from above.' 'Friendships when we go through tough times are worth so much,' he added. In a previous Instagram video, Brand told his followers he felt 'incredibly blessed' after his baptism in the River Thames. 'I got baptised and it was an incredible, profound experience,' he said. 'I'm so grateful to be surrendered in Christ.'
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bear Grylls explains why he attended Russell Brand's baptism after assault allegations
Bear Grylls has explained why he attended Russell Brand's baptism after a documentary exposed allegations of sexual assault against the comedian. In May 2024, Brand revealed that he had been baptised in the River Thames, during a ceremony held in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, so he could 'leave the past behind'. The baptism occurred months after a Dispatches and Sunday Times investigation highlighted accusations by four women of rape, sexual assault and abuse at the height of Brand's fame between 2006 and 2013. Brand denies all allegations. A photo showed Grylls embracing the comedian, who wrote: 'Me, Bear Grylls, The River Thames and of course, The Holy Spirit.' Grylls addressed the baptism in a new interview while promoting Netflix show Celebrity Bear Hunt, explaining that he struck up a friendship with Brand when he appeared on Running Wild – and that his faith helped him support the comedian. 'I try and live in a way that I never judge and I always try and love – and that principle doesn't just apply to perfect people with perfect lives,' Grylls said. 'He was a Running Wild guest; I'm friends with many of our Running Wild guests. And I always try to think of that phrase, 'WWJD' – what would Jesus do? That's been a guiding principle for me.' Grylls continued: 'I don't feel particularly 'churched' in a formal sort of religion, but I have a strong Christian faith that's been part of my life for many years. 'I say my prayers in the morning, say sorry, say thank you, say help. I've seen a lot of life. I've seen a lot of loss. I've seen a lot of difficult moments. And my faith has been a quiet strength and backbone through that.' The devout christian previously described being at Brand's baptism as a 'privilege' after the comedian's 'tough time'. 'Faith and spiritual moments in our lives are really personal,' he told The Daily Mail. 'But it is a privilege to stand beside anyone when they express a humble need for forgiveness and strength from above.' 'Friendships when we go through tough times are worth so much,' he added. In a previous Instagram video, Brand told his followers he felt 'incredibly blessed' after his baptism in the River Thames. 'I got baptised and it was an incredible, profound experience,' he said. 'I'm so grateful to be surrendered in Christ.'
The Independent
08-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Bear Grylls explains why he attended Russell Brand's baptism after assault allegations
Bear Grylls has explained why he attended Russell Brand 's baptism after a documentary exposed allegations of sexual assault against the comedian. In May 2024, Brand revealed that he had been baptised in the River Thames, during a ceremony held in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, so he could 'leave the past behind'. The baptism occurred months after a Dispatches and Sunday Times investigation highlighted accusations by four women of rape, sexual assault and abuse at the height of Brand's fame between 2006 and 2013. Brand denies all allegations. A photo showed Grylls embracing the comedian, who wrote: 'Me, Bear Grylls, The River Thames and of course, The Holy Spirit.' Grylls addressed the baptism in a new interview while promoting Netflix show Celebrity Bear Hunt, explaining that he struck up a friendship with Brand when he appeared on Running Wild – and that his faith helped him support the comedian. 'I try and live in a way that I never judge and I always try and love – and that principle doesn't just apply to perfect people with perfect lives,' Grylls said. 'He was a Running Wild guest; I'm friends with many of our Running Wild guests. And I always try to think of that phrase, 'WWJD' – what would Jesus do? That's been a guiding principle for me.' Grylls continued: 'I don't feel particularly 'churched' in a formal sort of religion, but I have a strong Christian faith that's been part of my life for many years. 'I say my prayers in the morning, say sorry, say thank you, say help. I've seen a lot of life. I've seen a lot of loss. I've seen a lot of difficult moments. And my faith has been a quiet strength and backbone through that.' The devout christian previously described being at Brand's baptism as a 'privilege' after the comedian's 'tough time'. 'Faith and spiritual moments in our lives are really personal,' he told The Daily Mail. 'But it is a privilege to stand beside anyone when they express a humble need for forgiveness and strength from above.' 'Friendships when we go through tough times are worth so much,' he added. In a previous Instagram video, Brand told his followers he felt 'incredibly blessed' after his baptism in the River Thames. 'I got baptised and it was an incredible, profound experience,' he said. 'I'm so grateful to be surrendered in Christ.'
