Drake Bell says he was sexually assaulted at 15 by Nickelodeon staffer

Content warning: Grooming, sexual assault

Fans of Drake & Josh will know the name Jared Drake Bell well; his was one of two faces that goofily smiled out at audiences as we all tuned in for more teenage antics. Yet, the former Nickelodeon star was going through a difficult time as a child actor, unbeknownst to his fans.

The former Nickelodeon actor has spoken publicly about his experiences on set; chiefly, that of sexual abuse. As reported by our friends over at UNILAD, Bell has revealed the alleged sexual assault in Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, an Investigation Discovery series.

During the course of that interview, Bell claims he was abused by former dialogue coach, Brian Peck, who worked on The Amanda Show and All That; the former of which is when Bell first met Peck.

The name Peck likely rings a bell because Peck was arrested back in 2003 on 11 charges of sexual abuses allegations related to an undisclosed child. A police press release from that time mentioned how the accident purportedly happened a couple of years prior to Peck being charged.

The victim’s family decided to report the abuse to authorities, saying that “Peck had molested the child over a six-month period”. In a police press release from the time, it listed the victim as someone Peck was coaching.

Fast forward to May 2004, and Peck plead no contest (meaning he accepted the charges but didn’t admit guilt) to oral copulation with a minor, as well performing a lewd act on a minor aged between 14 and 15 years old.

Peck was later convinced, and was sentenced to 16 months in prison, as well as being ordered to register as a sex offender.

Bell’s episode of Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV will air on the 17 and 18 March.