Disgraced comedian Russell Brand, 48, took to X – formerly Twitter – to share the photo of himself, Bear and another man topless as they hugged it out in the Thames
Russell Brand has shared a photo of himself hugging pal Bear Grylls in an unusual photo after revealing that he had been baptised.
The disgraced comedian, 48, took to X – formerly Twitter – to share the photo of himself, Bear and another man topless as they hugged it out in the Thames. It comes after he recently said that he felt transformed after being baptised and welcomed into Christianity – just months after he was accused of sex crimes, which he denies.
Brand’s ceremony had taken place with the survival expert in attendance, after he recently showed support for the former Hollywood actor. Posting the picture to his 11.3million followers, he wrote: “Me, Bear Grylls, The River Thames and of course, The Holy Spirit.”
The unlikely pair became friends after working together on a TV show. Taking part in Bear’s Apple TV+ show Running Wild with Bear Grylls, the duo had travelled across the Hebrides together.
Last month, Brand shared a lengthy statement via video in which he admitted he is adjusting to his new religious way of living – and says he expects to make ‘mistakes’. In his impassioned speech, Brand said: “As a person that has, in the past, taken many, many substances, and always been disappointed with their inability to deliver the kind of tranquility and peace and even transcendence that I always felt I’ve been looking for.
“Something occurred in the process of baptism that was incredible. Overwhelming. Literally overwhelming because I was under water. And it was the River Thames, at some points. So I felt changed. Transitioned.”
He then asked fellow believers to offer him their patience as he said: “This is new for me. I am learning. And I will make mistakes. This is my path now. And I already feel incredibly blessed, relieved, nourished, held. It’s been an incredible experience.” And he added: “I know I’m not expected to be perfect and I know that’s not something I’d be able to deliver. Those of you who have embraced me, I am so grateful.”
His conversion to Christianity has come months after a bombshell investigation spearheaded by Channel 4’s Dispatches and The Time and Sunday Times saw multiple women step forward to accuse Brand of sexual assault. The Metropolitan Police later confirmed they were investigating allegations about the comedian and he was later questioned. Brand has always denied the allegations made against him.
Following the release of the video of Brand explaining his baptism experience, fans noticed that 49-year-old father-of-three Bear was among those endorsing the post. He commented on Brand’s post, writing: “Beautiful words” alongside a hands to the sky emoji and a red heart emoji.
The Chief Scout is himself a staunch Christian – and has a connection to Brand. Last year, Brand starred in an episode of Running Wild With Bear Grylls: The Challenge which saw the adventurer put the comedian through his paces on a Scottish island. The episode originally aired in August 2023 – but subsequent plans to make the episode available to stream on the Disney+ streaming service were changed after Channel 4’s Dispatches show included shock allegations against Brand.
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