BBC Radio 5 presenter Nicky Campbell forced to apologise after ‘repeatedly using homophobic slur’

BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Nicky Campbell was reportedly forced to apologise to colleagues after repeatedly using a homophobic slur during a meeting.

The broadcaster, 65, has worked in television since 1981 and hosted on BBC Radio since 1987, with various daytime shows on Radio 5 over the years.

It’s been claimed that Campbell used the word ‘p***ter’ in the company of six editors and producers last week.

Metro understands that its context came in the form of reported speech, as he recounted an incident where someone had used the offensive term. Still, his co-workers are thought to have been shocked.

After the meeting ended, an editor reportedly apologised to other staff members.

And, as soon as he was aware that some people had been offended by the language used, we understand that Campbell apologised to all of the team face-to-face in a meeting of his own.

‘At the time, about half the people were saying, “What the f**k?”, but others were laughing about it,’ a source added to the Daily Mail.

‘But there’s been a growing backlash since then. 

‘There are people who could be really offended by the comment.’

When contacted for comment by the newspaper, the BBC declined to say whether Campbell could face disciplinary action.

Campbell was offered a job at Radio 5 by Roger Mosey, the station’s head, in 1997.

He began by presenting the morning show before taking over from Julian Worricker in the breakfast slot in 2003, initially co-hosting alongside Victoria Derbyshire.

Campbell then co-presented with Shelagh Fogarty from 2004 to 2011, after which he was joined by Rachel Burden until 2021. During this time, Campbell also began hosting a one-hour phone-in titled Your Call after his main show, later extended to two hours.

His coverage at Radio 5 Live has included four Olympic Games, three World Cups, and every general election and referendum since 1997, winning awards himself along the way.

This has included his induction into the Arqiva Radio Academy Hall of Fame in 2014, recognising his ‘immense contribution’ as a ‘celebrated broadcaster’ to UK audio and radio.

Additionally, Campbell has worked at Radio 2 and Radio 3.

Metro has contacted Nicky Campbell’s reps for comment.