Bear Grylls Apologises To Dorset Company Over Name Change Demand

Bear Grylls has ended a row with a Swanage-based knife-making company which was asked to remove the word 'bear' from it's name by his lawyers.

Swanage-based Bear Blades UK had said it had received a letter from law firm Carpmaels & Ransford on behalf of Bear Grylls Ventures calling for the company to remove any reference to "bear'' including its name, logo, and website.

Owen Senior, who set up Bear Blades in Swanage two years ago, said he planned to change his firm's name because he does not have ``the energy or inclination'' to fight "faceless'' lawyers.

Grylls said he would "look into this'' after Bear Blades raised their concerns with him on Twitter. Mr Senior, 33, said he has written to Carpmaels & Ransford to ask why they have made the request to his firm, which he claims has sold less than 100 knives so far this year.

Grylls, 40, who was appointed Chief Scout in 2009, has found fame in both the UK and America with his survival television series, including Man Vs Wild and Running Wild With Bear Grylls. He has also collaborated with knife maker Gerber to create his own range of blades and tools.

Grylls later tweeted "@BearBladesUK you guys are good to go! Apologies again. Good luck and let us know if we can ever help you in your endeavours. BG"