New Chief Scout Bear Grylls

Everest summiteer and television action man Bear Grylls has been appointed the leader of Britain’s Scouts.

The ex special-forces reservist will take over the role of Chief Scout from former Blue Peter presenter Peter Duncan when he completes his five-year tenure in July. Grylls was himself once a Cub Scout.

Grylls, real name Edward Michael Grylls, climbed Everest in 1998, at the time the youngest Briton to do so, at the age of 23. He is probably best known for his television series Born Survivor, in which he performed improbable stunts in the name of wilderness survival.

Grylls, the son of late Tory MP Sir Michael Grylls will take up the post as the figurehead of 400,000 young people between the ages of six and 25 and the 100,000 adult volunteers who run the Scouting movement founded by Robert Baden Powell, its first Chief Scout. Grylls will be the youngest to hold the post, at the age of 34.

He said: “So much of who we are as an adult is formed when we are kids.

“What Scouting says to people is: ‘it’s okay to go for it in life’.

“Every child has a right to have an adventure. Life is about grabbing opportunities. The prizes don’t always go to the biggest, the best and the strongest; they go to those who persevere. These are simple life lessons that Scouting teaches people.”

“I feel so honoured to be offered this position,” he continued, “And have always held such admiration for Scouts and all they do around the world.

“The Scouting Movement is a massive force for good, touching many, many young lives. Above all, it gives millions of kids the chance to live and learn about the wild and to experience real adventure. My hope is to help Scouts of all ages, including adults, to reach their full potential, to follow their dreams and to enjoy the camaraderie that the Scouts are famous for.

“In particular I want to continue the inspirational work that the current Chief Scout Peter Duncan has begun by showing the public how Scouting continues to open young people’s eyes to a world of extraordinary promise and possibilities.”

Bear Grylls is married with three young sons. He is also an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust and is vice-president of the Journey of a Lifetime Trust, which helps young people from troubled backgrounds.