BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Nicky Campbell causes outrage among staff after repeatedly using term ‘p***ter’ in work meeting
BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Nicky Campbell caused consternation among colleagues by repeatedly using the term “p***ter” during a business meeting, the Daily Mail has revealed.
The 65-year-old, who has worked for the broadcaster for nearly 40 years, used the outdated homophobic slur multiple times during a meeting with about six editors and producers of his show last week.
Although it appeared that he used the term in reported speech when telling a story, it still shocked his colleagues.
An editor is thought to have apologized to staff after the meeting ended; Campbell later apologized to the team for a second time in another face-to-face meeting.
A source told this newspaper: ‘About half the people at the time were saying ‘What the hell’ but others were laughing about it.
‘But there has been a growing backlash since then.
‘There are people who might be really offended by the comment.’
The BBC declined to comment and declined to say whether Campbell would face disciplinary action. Their representatives have been reached for comment.
Campbell is an experienced BBC journalist and has worked on a variety of BBC Radio 5 Live programs since joining the station in 1997, following a ten-year stint at Radio 1.
Nicky Campbell, who has worked for the broadcaster for nearly 40 years, reportedly used the outdated homophobic slur multiple times during a meeting with about six editors and producers of his show last week. Pictured: Campbell appearing on ITV chat show Loose Women in 2024
The 65-year-old journalist is an experienced BBC broadcaster and has worked on many BBC Radio 5 Live programs since joining the station in 1997.
He co-hosted the coveted Breakfast show for nearly 20 years before heading off in 2021 to “get a little more sleep”, as he jokingly noted at the time.
The Scottish broadcaster now hosts a two-hour call-in show weekdays from 9am to 11pm; this is a new extension of the space that was previously part of the Breakfast programme.
Campbell allegedly used the offensive term while telling an anecdote about an incident someone had said.
It comes amid an ongoing period of controversy for BBC Radio 5 Live after another presenter was also caught up in the scandal last month.
Tony Livesey, who hosts a weekday show for the station, stepped back from his role in June following sexual harassment allegations against former colleague David Sullivan.
Many women have accused billionaire businessman and West Ham co-owner Sullivan of abusing his power and, in some cases, preying on them for sex when they were teenagers.
Sullivan, 77, vehemently denied the allegations made in a joint investigation by The Times and BBC Panorama.
Livesey, 62, was previously editor-in-chief of Sullivan’s Sport newspapers. An alleged victim said he arranged a meeting between himself and Sullivan in 1999.
The BBC said that the broadcaster, which categorically denied the allegations, wanted to take a break from broadcasting while the allegations were investigated.
The incident comes amid ongoing controversy after BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Tony Livesey (pictured) was caught up in the scandal last month.
Campbell began his broadcasting career studying history at the University of Aberdeen, as well as presenting on Northsound Radio in Aberdeen.
After sending a tape to Capital Radio in London, he was given the Saturday afternoon show and soon took over the breakfast slot and served as the station’s main substitute presenter.
The journalist joined the BBC in 1987 and started on Radio 1’s Saturday night programme, later appearing in a variety of programs on the station.
He left briefly in 1993 to care for his wife, Linda Larnach, who was ill at the time. Campbell returned for two years in 1994 before moving to Radio 5 Live in 1997.
