BBC’s Stephen Nolan show accused of planting staff in TV audience

Stephen Nolan’s shows often set the agenda in Northern Ireland with investigations and combative interviews. Photograph: anon/PA

The BBC presenter Stephen Nolan is facing fresh scrutiny over claims one of his shows planted staff members in the audience to stir on-air rows.

The Irish News reported that staffers sat among the audience of the BBC Northern Ireland show Nolan Live to identify “feisty” contributors. Nolan’s team allegedly used the codename “ra ra” for on-air arguments and referred to a section of the audience as the “bear pit”.