Drake Bell speaks out for first time after child endangerment conviction

Published 13:11 18 Sept 2021 BST

Updated 13:33 18 Sept 2021 BST

Danny Jones

Drake Bell speaks out for first time after child endangerment conviction

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The former Drake & Josh star has come out to label much of the story as "entirely false" following his conviction

Actor and musician Drake Bell - best known for being one half of the Nickelodeon show, Drake & Josh - has given his first comments following his child endangerment conviction earlier this year. Bell, 34, recently posted a video to Instagram, in which he tells his followers: "most of the news that you've heard recently is entirely false and wrong", adding that he feels they "deserve an explanation." Drake Bell was sentenced to two years probation and 200 hours of community service. The victim, who was 15 at the time, called him "the epitome of evil" and said that he had "ruined my life." https://www.instagram.com/p/CT5o3L1la1W/ Speaking in the three-minute clip, he lists off a number of rumours that he immediately disqualifies as false, including changing his name, moving to Mexico, as well as being arrested and going to jail. As he explains, the case itself has been a "thorough three-year investigation", noting also that the state of Ohio has disproven a number of facets surrounding the story. The sentencing was carried out over video call back in July. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ez7oFH8wbjI Nevertheless, he admits, "I'm not perfect and I've made mistakes. I responded to a fan whose age I didn't know; when I became aware of their age, all communication stopped." He goes on to describe how this individual remained in contact and appeared at a number of his shows without apparently realising that they were the same person. He also reassured fans that no illicit images were exchanged between the two parties and said that he only confessed to what he was culpable for, "reckless and irresponsible" text messages, and that he hoped accepting a plea deal would put an end to the situation quickly. Bell finished the video by thanking his fans for "seeing through the lies" and "media confusion", before urging others to "come to your own conclusions."