Bear Grylls has addressed Russell Brand’s rape and sexual assault convictions after participating in his baptism. Grylls was present for Brand’s baptism in 2024, held at the latter’s home in Oxfordshire, a year after the initial accusations against him came to light.

Following Brand’s conviction, Grylls took to social media to call the victims the “heroes of the day,” while reflecting on his time with convicted criminals. Grylls said, “Brand’s faith seemed genuine to me at the time when I was a guest at his private baptism.” The adventurer had also appeared as a guest on Brand’s reality show in 2023.

Bear Grylls explains his decision to baptize Russell Brand despite the allegations

As for why Grylls helped in Brand’s baptism, he wrote that it was a “part of our calling as men and women of faith, to love and serve anyone.” Grylls revealed that he has attended several baptisms of people who have “committed terrible crimes,” including ones in prisons. He added, “It is the sick that need healing. Judgment is for the courts and God… I wouldn’t want to ever discourage someone’s coming to faith.”

However, Grylls also acknowledged the story’s true victims, referring to the six women who testified against the English comedian and actor. “It is right that justice has now been served,” he added. “I can’t imagine how hard this time has been for the victims, the heroes of the day.”

Brand was charged with five sexual offense charges last year, relating to events between 1999 and 2005. He was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, while being acquitted of two other rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault. He has not yet received his formal sentence.