Bear Grylls has said it is "right that justice has now been served" after Russell Brand was convicted of sexual assault, responding to criticism over his attendance at the comedian's baptism. The adventurer posted a statement on X on Friday 6 November about the 2024 ceremony in the River Thames, where he was a guest.
"Brand's faith seemed genuine to me at the time when I was a guest at his private baptism," he wrote. On the verdict itself, he said: "It is right that justice has now been served." He added that he "can't imagine how hard this time has been for the victims."
Brand was found guilty this week of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He was acquitted of two other rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault.
He has denied all the allegations and was taken into police custody after the verdict. Six women gave evidence about incidents alleged to have taken place between 1999 and 2009.
Sentencing is due on Monday 9 November. The Metropolitan Police have confirmed they are investigating further rape allegations from two women, with files on both complainants passed to the Crown Prosecution Service.
The suspect has previously been interviewed under caution about those allegations. The baptism took place less than a year after the allegations were first made public by The Sunday Times and Channel 4's Dispatches.
Brand had appeared as a guest on Grylls's show Running Wild in 2023, and converted to Christianity after the claims emerged, speaking extensively about his faith on social media. Other figures have also reacted.
Katherine Ryan, who appeared with Brand on Roast Battle, said on her podcast that she was "in awe of the survivors who also had nothing to gain." Emily Maitlis, who interviewed Brand on Newsnight in 2017, said his fame created a "wall of silence" around what people felt able to say.
The legal proceedings have drawn significant international attention, highlighting the complexities of celebrity culture and accountability. As the sentencing date approaches, legal experts suggest the case serves as a landmark moment for the #MeToo movement in the United Kingdom.
The conviction marks a significant fall from grace for the former television and radio presenter. Throughout the trial, the prosecution emphasized the power dynamics involved in the alleged incidents, while the defense maintained that the encounters were consensual.
Public discourse remains intense, with many social media users debating the intersection of religious conversion and legal accountability. Grylls's statement is seen as an attempt to distance himself from the controversy while acknowledging the gravity of the court's decision.
As the Crown Prosecution Service reviews the additional files, the legal saga surrounding Brand is expected to continue well into the coming year, keeping the focus on the survivors' pursuit of justice.