Breaking News:ALISON BOSHOFF: Why Bear Grylls’ friends are so flabbergasted he’s become a spiritual mentor to Russell Brand

Sitting cross-legged with a crucifix nestling in his bronzed chest, Russell Brand’s latest reinvention is a transformation for the ages.

Gone is the whiskery alternative-looking geezer in a none-too-clean knitted beanie, spouting conspiracy theories for his devoted online subscribers.

This new Brand is scrubbed clean, appearing almost to glow with some sort of reflected saintliness.

It’s a long way from the peak of his first wave of success as a comedian 20 years ago, when Brand was the high priest of toxic masculinity — the nadir of which came with the Andrew Sachs scandal, where he and co-host Jonathan Ross brutally humiliated the comedian, leaving him explicit voicemails about his granddaughter live on Brand’s Radio 2 show.

And today — let us not forget — Brand remains under investigation by the Met Police over a number of serious allegations of sexual assault stretching back years.

Russell Brand revealed this week that he was baptised in the River Thames. He said Bear Grylls, who, along with another friend, held him as he was immersed in the waters
Russell Brand revealed this week that he was baptised in the River Thames. He said Bear Grylls, who, along with another friend, held him as he was immersed in the waters.