Bear Grylls sets out alone after parting company with the Discovery Channel

TELEVISION adventurer Bear Grylls has parted company with the Discovery Channel after a row over “new programming”, his publicist has announced.

The 37-year-old has skydived over Mount Everest and crossed the Sahara for the channel’s Born Survivor series, which is also broadcast in the United States as Man vs Wild.

His US-based publicist Heather Krug said: “Bear’s goal has always been to make life-empowering shows for his many fans around the globe, and he has taken great risks to bring Discovery such award-winning programming over seven seasons.

“Unfortunately, Bear and Discovery have not been able to come to mutual agreement on new programming, and he disagrees with Discovery’s decision to terminate current productions. Bear has loved the Man vs Wild journey and looks forward to producing further cutting-edge content again soon for his loyal audience.”

Grylls, who was given the nickname Bear by his sister and has since changed it by deed poll – he was christened Edward – was the youngest Briton to climb Everest when he was 23, and has presented TV programmes including Escape To The Legion. He spent three years in the military with the Special Air Service and, a lifelong cub and boy scout, became Chief Scout in 2009.

He tweeted fans thanks, adding: “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”