Featured Image Credit: Investigation Discovery/Nickelodeon
Topics: Sexual Abuse, Film and TV, Celebrity
Callum Jones
Topics: Sexual Abuse, Film and TV, Celebrity
Former Nickelodeon star Drake Bell has spoken out about the alleged sexual abuse he experienced as a child actor.
Bell, whose full name is Jared Drake Bell, is best known for starring in Nickelodeon sitcom Drake & Josh.
The 37-year-old is now sharing his story in the coming Investigation Discovery series Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, which is set to air on 17 and 18 March.
In the new documentary, Bell claims he was abused by Brian Peck, a dialogue coach who worked on Nickelodeon's All That and The Amanda Show.
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Bell first crossed paths with Peck on The Amanda Show from 1999 to 2002 before heading over to Drake & Josh, which debuted in 2004.
Back in August 2003, Peck was arrested on 11 charges related to allegations that he'd sexually abused an unnamed child.
In May 2004, Peck pleaded no contest to performing a lewd act with a 14-or-15-year-old, and to oral copulation with a minor under 16.
Peck was ultimately sentenced to 16 months in prison and was also ordered to register as a sex offender in October 2004.
According to a 2003 police press release, the alleged incident happened two years before Peck's arrest, with police saying he had been 'coaching the victim'.
Authorities got involved after the victim's family reported that 'Peck had molested the child over a six-month period'.
Quiet on Set depicts the underpinnings of much-loved children's television shows created by Dan Schneider in the 1990s and 2000s.
Directed by Mary Robertson and Emma Schwartz, Quiet on Set is set to tell some unheard stories, including Bell's.
UNILAD has contacted Nickelodeon and Bell's reps for comment.
As for the Drake and Josh star, last year he was reported 'missing and endangered'.
"He is considered missing and endangered," the police wrote last April. "If you know where he is or have any information, please contact Detective Jayson Wallace at 386-671-5207 or [email protected]."
Just a few hours after the initial post from police, the Daytona Beach Police Department added an update to say Bell had been found safe.
"At this time, we can confirm law enforcement officials are in contact and Mr. Bell is safe," they wrote.
The actor himself shed some light on the situation, penning on Twitter: "You leave your phone in the car and don’t answer for the night and this?"