Drake Bell is asking Drake & Josh fans to take it easy on his co-star Josh Peck after Bell alleged on Quiet on Set he was abused by former Nickelodeon dialogue coach Brian Peck.
After Bell revealed his experience with Brian during his youth, many Nickelodeon fans took to social media to attack Josh. Although Josh and Brian have the same last name, they are unrelated.
Bell has now taken to TikTok to say Josh has reached out to him and asked fans not to be so harsh on his former co-star.
“I just want to clear something up. I’ve noticed a lot of comments on on some of Josh’s TikToks and some of his posts,” Bell said in the video. “I just want to let you guys know that this is really, you know, processing this and going through this is a really, emotional time and a lot of it’s very, very difficult. So not everything is put out to the public.”
He continued, “But I just want you guys to know that he has reached out to me and it’s been very sensitive. But he has reached out to to talk with me and help me work through this. And has been really, really great. So just wanted to let you guys know that and to take it a little easy on it.”
Brian was arrested in 2003 on eleven charges, including sodomy, lewd act upon a child 14 or 15 by a person 10 years older, and oral copulation by anesthesia or controlled substance, but the minor was never named.
Bell revealed he was the minor in the docuseries Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, sharing details of the abuse he suffered by the former dialogue coach at the children’s network.
After the doc aired, Nickelodeon shared a statement saying, “Now that Drake Bell has disclosed his identity as the plaintiff in the 2004 case, we are dismayed and saddened to learn of the trauma he has endured, and we commend and support the strength required to come forward.”