East 17 star Terry Coldwell had his head dunked under water for several seconds by a former henchman to the Kray twins.

But, fortunately, the boy bander was not being interrogated or punished by burly ex-gangster Chris Lambrianou – he was being baptised by him instead.

The surreal scene saw 50-year-old Terry become one of seven born-again Christians immersed in a baptism pool at the River Church in London’s East End as a public declaration of faith.

He told MailOnline afterwards: ‘I’ve just been baptised and I feel absolutely amazing. The service has been phenomenal today.

‘I just feel great. I feel it was a long time coming and I’m really glad I did it.’

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East 17’s Terry Coldwell, 50, (centre) revealed he’s turned to God as he was baptised by former Krays’ henchman Chris Lambrianou (left, with the church’s pastor, Dave Gill) 

Former Kray henchman and Britain’s one-time most wanted armed robber, Chris, turned to religion in recent years after finding God in prison 

The surreal scene saw Terry become one of seven born-again Christians immersed in a baptism pool at the River Church in London’s East End as a public declaration of faith

Lambrianou, 85, was once a feared member of ‘The Firm’ – a gang led by notorious Ronnie and Reggie Kray – and helped dump the body of Jack ‘The Hat’ McVitie just after he had been stabbed to death by Reggie in 1967.

It was during a prison sentence for armed robbery that he found God and he has since turned his life around and now helps steer youngsters away from crime.

He performed the baptisms with the church’s pastor, Dave Gill and said: ‘Baptising so many people gives me a spiritual high. It’s like you cannot buy the feeling I have. That can only come from Jesus Christ. Trust in him and he will never fail you.’

The Bible does not give specific instructions regarding who can baptize another person, although it is usually reserved for bishops or priests. 

Coldwell rose to stardom alongside East 17 band members Tony Mortimer, Brian Harvey and John Hendy in the 1990s.

The band has sold over 18 million albums worldwide and notched up a Christmas number one in 1994 with Stay Another Day.

East 17 have undergone multiple lineup changes over the years with Terry remaining the only constant member, now performing alongside Joe Livermore, and former Artful Dodger collaborator Robbie Craig.

Speaking to MailOnline in November, Terry revealed he doesn’t hold much hope of a reunion with the original lineup.

He told MailOnline afterwards: ‘I’ve just been baptised and I feel absolutely amazing. The service has been phenomenal today’

Terry added: ‘I just feel great. I feel it was a long time coming and I’m really glad I did it’

Lambrianou, 85 performed the baptisms with the church’s pastor and said: ‘Baptising so many people gives me a spiritual high. It’s like you cannot buy the feeling I have’

Lambrianou commanded fear and respect in the most brutal and bloodiest of worlds as a henchman for Reggie and Ronnie Kray (pictured)

Read MoreEXCLUSIVE How East 17 went from topping charts to homelessness and bitter fallout – as they reveal new careers

‘I’ve tried to get us together over the years but it all fell through,’ he explained. ‘I’ve kind of had enough really.’

Recently, Terry, John and Tony all featured on the BBC2 documentary Boybands Forever to reminisce on their time in the band.

The trio were filmed separately and had no desire to catch up afterwards.

‘We don’t talk,’ Terry explained. ‘But I don’t hold any grudges. There were good times and there were bad times but that’s like in any job. 

‘We lived together basically, we worked for three years without a day off so of course we argued about things.

‘But I’m grateful for the times I shared with them.’

Lambrianou set up a charity with former Met detective Jon Wedger which strives to divert young people away from crime by mentoring them and working with them to find work.

So far the project has helped a number of former criminals, including teenagers involved with knife gangs, a hardened bank robber and prolific prosтιтute, to go straight.

Terry looked in great spirits as he left the church following his baptism 

Coldwell rose to stardom alongside his East 17 band members in the Nineties (L-R Brian Harvey, Terry, Tony Mortimer, John Hendy)

Wedger was one of a handful of close friends to watch Sunday’s service at the River Church in Canning Town. 

He said: ‘I found the service to be very moving.

‘I’ve know Terry for a few years and his faith has got stronger and stronger and I think it’s been niggling away at him to get baptised for a while now.

‘Myself and Chris have worked together for a while now. 

‘He is a man who has turned his back on crime and devoted himself to God and is making a difference now in people’s lives and helping youngsters avoid making the same mistakes he did.’