Russell Brand has revealed he is getting baptised to “leave the past behind”.
The comedian was accused of multiple counts of rape, assault and emotional abuse between 2006 and 2013 in a joint investigation between Channel 4, The Times and Sunday Times last year. The star has strongly denied all the accusations.
In a post shared on Instagram last week, Brand confirmed that he was “taking the plunge” and “getting baptised”.
“What’s been explained to me is, it’s an opportunity to die and be reborn,” he said. “An opportunity to leave the past behind and be reborn in Christ’s name. Like it says in Galatians: that you can live as an enlightened and awakened person.”
“People are so cynical about the increasing interest in Christianity and the return to God, but to me, it’s obvious,” Brand continued.
“As meaning deteriorates in the modern world, as our value systems and institutions crumble, all of us become increasingly aware that there is this eerily familiar awakening and beckoning figure that we’ve all known all of our lives, within us and around us. And for me it’s very exciting.
“One of my concerns is that I’m thinking about doing it in the River Thames, so I could be getting baptised in toxoplasmosis and E. coli based on what I’ve learned. I may be leaving behind the sins, but I might be picking up some pretty serious viruses.”
Last month, Channel 4’s chief executive Alex Mahon apologised to a former employee after not properly investigating a “serious” allegation made against Brand in 2009, which comes after a report found “no evidence” of Brand’s alleged behaviour on shows Big Brother’s Big Mouth and Kings of Comedy was known by staff.
“While the investigation did not find any evidence to suggest that any Channel 4 employees were aware of Russell Brand’s alleged behaviour contained in the programme, it did find that one former Channel 4 employee made a serious and concerning allegation about Russell Brand in 2009,” Mahon said.
“This was not escalated to Channel 4’s then senior management team, nor investigated as it should have been. I have apologised on behalf of the organisation to the individual for this breakdown and for the distress this matter has caused.”
In January, Brand addressed the allegations against him in an interview with Fox News‘ Tucker Carlson, calling them “appalling” and “very, very hurtful”.
The comedian was reportedly questioned by police in November over the allegations, though he has not been arrested or charged.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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