Edward 'Bear' Grylls OBE was born in London on 7 June 1974, son of the Conservative MP Sir Michael Grylls. As an adventurer and TV presenter, he's famous for exploring all four corners of the earth, but now it's time for him to explore his own family history on Who Do You Think You Are? Here's five things you might not have known about the star...
1. The name game
Bear Grylls’ real name is Edward Michael Grylls, but he was given the nickname ‘Bear’ when he was just a week old by his elder sister.
2. Breaking world records
Grylls was only 23 when he reached the summit of Mount Everest in 1998. He also became the youngest person from Britain to climb Mount Ama Dablam in the Himalayas (6858m).
3. Bear Grylls vs the world
Bear Grylls gained fame for his 2006-2011 television series Man vs. Wild. He hosted the series and subjected himself to extreme challenges and the task of navigating harsh environments all around the world.
4. OBE
In 2019, Grylls was appointed Officer of the Order of the Bristol Empire (OBE). This was due to his services to young people, the media and charity.
5. Scout’s honour
In 2009, Bear Grylls became the youngest-ever Chief Scout of the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories.