Nicky Campbell tells Edinburgh court his teacher 'completely lost it' in 'frenzy' attack at private school in the 1970s

From the Newshound archive · first published 7 October 2026 · last updated 9 October 2026.

BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Nicky Campbell, 65, testified at Edinburgh Sheriff Court that he had been beaten, "ragdolled" and left "absolutely terrified" by teacher Colin Turner in an unprovoked assault when he was 14 or 15 at Edinburgh Academy. Campbell described Turner approaching him from behind at a notice board and launching into a "complete frenzy" of slapping, hitting, dragging and shaking. Turner, 92, and fellow former teacher David Bourne, 72, have been assessed as medically unfit to face trial and will receive no punishment whatever verdict the sheriff returns.

Campbell said reporting the assault would have been 'the nuclear option' — schools covered up abuse and turned on accusers.

His mother, a trained social worker, contacted the school instead; Turner was disciplined and forced to apologise to her.

Campbell told the court he returned home 'dishevelled and distraught' after the attack and remains proud of his parents, who adopted him.