15 August 2023 , 16:06
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BBC Radio 5 Live host Stephen Nolan, 49, reportedly 'sent photos of Stephen Bear's penis to colleagues' telling them to book him for his show, it has been alleged.
Nolan, who was paid between £400,000 and £404,999 by the public broadcaster in the year 2022/2023, allegedly told colleagues that more photos of Bear's genitals would be sent to their phones if they didn't book him for his TV show Nolan Live. Nolan Live is described by the BBC's website as a"live, hard-hitting audience interactive series, in which Stephen Nolan tackles topical issues affecting Northern Ireland with lively debate and interesting guests."
Bear was sentenced to 21 months in jail this year for voyeurism and two counts of 'revenge porn' featuring his former girlfriend Georgia Harrison. The disgraced reality star had just won Celebrity Big Brother at the time that Nolan allegedly wanted him on the show. Bear stripped off on the show during his appearance on Nolan Live in 2016, where both he and Nolan posed in their underpants in front of a live audience.
Stephen Nolan allegedly wanted Bear in his show (PA)
(PA)In documents leaked to the Irish Times it's reported Nolan had said: "I want Bear!", adding in: "If I don't get Bear tomorrow night I'm sending more bear photos." One person who claims to have received a picture of Bear's genitals from Nolan described the explicit images as "beyond the pale". Another source claimed to the publication Nolan is "untouchable" within the BBC.
A complainant is alleged to have said the first picture of Bear's penis was a "deliberate attempt to undermine and embarrass me". The same person claims "further distress" was caused when a second "different explicit photo of Stephen Bear naked" and aroused was allegedly sent.
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Gregory Campbell DUP MP for East Londonderry said: "The scale and significance of the revelations printed today, were they related to any other area of life in Northern Ireland, would undoubtedly be headline news across the BBC. 'Radio silence' just won’t cut it however in this instance.
"Many people will obviously question the culture which appears to be prevalent within the programme where its presenter has sent unwanted sexual images to staff members. This ultimately is an issue of how public money is used in Northern Ireland and it deserves the same level of scrutiny and questioning, both from the BBC and other sections of the media."
Nolan was on air Tuesday morning [August 15] presenting his daily Radio Ulster show at 9am. He did not address the allegations during his broadcast. Nolan's radio show remains the most listened to in Northern Ireland. It's alleged that an investigation into Nolan took place in 2018 and is said to have centered on the photos sent of Bear's penis, as well as complaints about Nolan's "tight knit" team.
Adam Smyth, Director, BBC Northern Ireland said: "There are important considerations of fairness and confidentiality involved in the handling of any workplace related complaint. We take these obligations seriously - and in the interests of everyone involved. It is for these reasons that we cannot comment on the specifics of any individual case, who/what it may have involved or its outcome."
The Mirror have contacted Nolan and Bear for comment.