Controversial comedian Russell Brand has revealed that TV adventurer Bear Grylls helped to 'baptise' him in the River Thames as part of an 'incredible' conversion to Christianity. 

The 48-year-old, who lives in Henley-on-Thames, formerly identified as a Buddhist but shared news of his Christian awakening - via a baptism ceremony in the sewage-contaminated river - with his social media followers last month. 

Now, he has revealed that Chief Scout and TV host Bear Grylls was by his side during the baptism.

In a video uploaded to social media, Brand said "week one as a Christian" had been an "amazing experience".

Adding: "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."

He also described the baptism as a "profound experience" and an "opportunity to leave the past behind and be reborn in Christ's name".

Grylls, 49, has been vocal about his own religious beliefs in the past and is an ambassador for the evangelical education course Alpha.

Brand appeared on Grylls' Apple+ TV series Running Wild with Bear Grylls: The Challenge last August, where he opened up about his "chaotic" marriage to the pop star Katy Perry, who he divorced in 2012.

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It comes months after Brand was accused of rape and sexual assault by several women between 2006 and 2013, allegations that he has strongly denied.

The reports surfaced in a joint investigation by the Times, the Sunday Times and Channel 4's Dispatches.

The 48-year-old, who was at the height of his fame and starred in Hollywood films Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him To The Greek in the aforementioned period, told Fox News host Tucker Carlson that the claims were "very hurtful".

In a social media post last month, he said: “Something occurred in the process of baptism that was incredible, overwhelming, literally so overwhelming because I was obviously underwater, and it was the River Thames. I felt change transitioned.

“I already feel incredibly blessed, relieved, nourished, held. It’s been an incredible experience.

“I know that I’m not expected to be perfect and I know that that’s not something I’ll be able to deliver – those of you that have embraced me, I’m so grateful.

“I can’t tell you how happy I feel and how relieved I feel.”