Bear Grylls, the British adventurer and television presenter known for “Man vs. Wild,” has commented publicly for the first time since Russell Brand was convicted of rape and sexual assault following a trial at Southwark Crown Court.
Grylls, who baptized Brand privately two years ago, posted a statement on X on Friday saying it was “right that justice has now been served.”
“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. 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.”
He continued: “It is right that justice has now been served. I can’t imagine how hard this time has been for the victims, the heroes of the day.”
The comments come two days after a jury at Southwark Crown Court found Brand guilty of raping a 21-year-old fan in 2009 and sexually assaulting three other women. The offenses, involving four women in total, took place between 2004 and 2009 as Brand’s career and public profile were growing. He was cleared of two additional rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault.
Brand, 51, has maintained his innocence throughout. He was refused bail after the verdict and remains in custody ahead of sentencing, which is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 9, at the same court. Police are investigating two further rape allegations against him separately.
Grylls stood alongside Brand at his baptism in 2024. In a video posted after the ceremony, Brand thanked Grylls and another friend, Joe,
