Drake Bell 'regretted' coming forward as victim of abuse before realising how he helped others

Drake Bell "instantly regretted" revealing he was a victim of abuse before realising it was helping other people. The former 'Drake and Josh' actor came forward earlier this year to confirm he was the then-unnamed minor involved in a 2003 sexual assault case against former Nickelodeon dialect coach Brian Peck, and his revelations about "extensive and brutal" abuse were part of the 'Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV' documentary. Before being unveiled on'The Masked Singer' on Wednesday (20.

11.24), the 38-year-old star - dressed as Ice King - said: "Miley [Cyrus] and I actually have a lot in common. "We both know the media can be totally uncool.



And this year, I've been part of a firestorm of press. "I finally felt ready to tell my truth to the world, and so I did. And then instantly regretted it.

" Drake - who covered Miley's hit 'Midnight Sky' on the show - was apprehensive about sharing his experience publicly. He added: "The night it was released, I was a total disaster. Frozen.

"But once I saw how many people could relate, I felt the weight lift off my shoulders. My story is out there." In Ice King's teaser video, he thanked those who have supported him.

He continued: "I've worked hard to put that chapter behind me, which is what I wanted most. "And for those of you who do stand with me, thank you. Because your support makes me feel like the sky's the limit.

" After he was unmasked on the show, the former child star admitted it was "a pleasure" to be performing on stage after everything he's been through. He said: "It's been a long road and really difficult, but to come here and do something like this and see the support and put smiles back on people's faces, this is why we're entertainers..

. It's just a pleasure to be able to be back on stage.".