BBC presenter Stephen Nolan has issued a public apology amidst claims that he shared a sexually explicit photograph with staff members.
The alleged incident dates back to 2016 when Nolan reportedly sent an explicit image of reality TV star Stephen Bear to other staff members.
This action was said to be an attempt to secure Bear as a guest on Nolan’s TV show.
Bear, a former Celebrity Big Brother winner, faced legal consequences earlier this year, being sentenced to 21 months in jail for offenses related to revenge porn and voyeurism.
Nolan addressed these allegations during his morning show on Radio Ulster.
He acknowledged the recent media coverage surrounding the issue, stating, “We have had days, as you probably know, of headlines about me and the Nolan team in the papers this week.”
While he did not dismiss the matter, Nolan emphasized the importance of respecting the BBC’s internal processes for handling staff complaints.
He stressed that such processes must remain confidential in order to be effective.
Nolan took responsibility for his actions, admitting, “I can say one thing though and it is that I am sorry.
There was a photograph, it was widely available on the internet and I was talking to a long-term friend and peer outside of work.
I am deeply sorry.”
The incident in question occurred shortly after Bear’s victory on Celebrity Big Brother in 2016.
During a segment on modelling, both Bear and Nolan had stripped down to their underpants.
Addressing another allegation, Nolan also refuted claims that he or his team manipulate programs by planting producers in the studio audience.
He firmly stated, “I am telling you now, and I can say this on the record, that is completely, categorically false.
We do not do that in the Nolan team.”
Nolan’s prominence at the BBC is evident by his position as the fifth highest-paid talent, earning between £400,000 and £404,999.
The Irish News additionally reported on a former staff member’s claim of bullying and harassment against Nolan, which was not upheld.
The news outlet also highlighted messages exchanged among team members associated with Nolan’s programs that contained abusive remarks about politicians.
BBC Northern Ireland’s director, Adam Smyth, released a statement affirming the importance of handling workplace-related complaints with fairness and confidentiality.
Smyth stressed that they take these obligations seriously and cannot provide specific comments on individual cases and their outcomes.
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