The Scouting Association has issued a statement following reports Bear Grylls is to stand down as chief scout after photos emerged of him baptising Russell Brand.
The Daily Mail reported that the adventurer is standing down from the position after concerns emerged around his relationship with YouTuber Brand, less than a year after a Channel 4 Dispatches documentary reported allegations of sexual assault. Brand denies all the allegations against him.
A spokesperson for the Scouting Association told the Independent: “We are extremely proud that Bear Grylls is our chief scout. Bear was the UK’s youngest ever chief scout when he was appointed in 2009, aged 34.
“He remains the public face of the Scouts in the UK. He inspired the movement through a period of unprecedented growth, he’s helped thousands of young people to gain new skills, try new things, and look to the future with optimism.”
They added: “More information will be available later in the year about Bear’s next steps.”
In 2020 it was reported that Grylls would be in the post until at least 2023.
He told scouts on a livestream at the time: “I couldn’t be more proud to continue as Chief Scout for at least the next three years, and my hope is that together we can steer and carry Scouting through this tough time and out the other side as a force for good across the whole nation.”
On Friday, Bear Grylls posted a letter thanking 14 young scouts for camping and learning computer skills for months and urged other young people to join the worldwide youth social movement.
In May, Russell Brand shared a photo of his baptism in the River Thames, which features the devout Christian embracing him in the water.
The unlikely friendship seemingly began when Brand appeared last year on Running Wild, filmed in the Hebrides.
Brand later shared a video to social media detailing how Grylls was one of two men who “flanked him” during the baptism ceremony close to where he lives in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.
The 48-year-old podcaster had called baptism an “opportunity to leave the past behind”.
“Week one as a Christian has been amazing,” Brand said in the video.
“The ceremony itself was incredible. I want to thank Bear Grylls and my mate Joe, the two men that stood either side of me and flanked me for the baptism itself.”
At the time Grylls confirmed his attendance to the Daily Mail and described assisting in 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 publication. “But it is a privilege to stand beside anyone when they express a humble need for forgiveness and strength from above.”
He added: “Friendships when we go through tough times are worth so much.”