Who is Stephen Bear? Reality TV star released from prison early after revenge-porn incident

Stephen Bear has been released from prison, having served 11 months of a 21-month sentence.

The disgraced reality TV personality was found guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court in 2023 of voyeurism and two counts of disclosing private sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress.

Having served just over half his sentence, Bear reportedly didn’t comment as he stepped out of prison with his belongings.

The Londoner was almost unrecognisable when spotted outside HMP Brixton sporting a bushy beard on Wednesday (January 17).

According to the Mirror, Bear intends to shun social media and his previous wild lifestyle after walking free earlier than planned. Bear was jailed following a week-long trial after he filmed a sexual encounter on CCTV in his garden and shared the footage online for profit.

Who is Stephen Bear?

Bear, 34, is a television personality from Walthamstow, London. Before appearing on reality TV shows, he worked as a roofer.

He first appeared on the E4 reality show Shipwrecked in 2011, aged 21. In 2015 and 2016, he appeared on two seasons of MTV’s Ex on the Beach.

He began dating Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattinson after meeting her on Ex on the Beach, as reported by the Mirror.

Bear won the 2016 Celebrity Big Brother, appearing alongside fellow celebrities such as Christopher Biggins and Frankie Grande.

However, he attracted controversy on the show and was booed when he left the Big Brother house.

Bear was dating stylist and influencer Lillie Lexie Gregg at the time but dumped her on air after getting intimate with fellow housemate Chloe Khan.

Following his Big Brother success, he presented MTV’s Just Tattoo of Us, alongside his girlfriend at the time, Geordie Shore star Charlotte Crosby.

He has also appeared on Celebs Go Dating, Loose Women, and The Challenge. Bear's ex-fiancée is Instagram and OnlyFans model Jessica Smith.

Stephen Bear’s trial

In January 2021, Bear was arrested at Heathrow Airport on his birthday while travelling back from an overseas trip. He was charged in May 2021.

Bear had previously filmed a sexual encounter with his former partner, Georgia Harrison, on CCTV before sharing it without her consent.

Jacqueline Carey KC, prosecuting, told an earlier trial at Chelmsford Crown Court that Harrison and Bear had consensual sex at his home in Loughton, Essex, but Ms Harrison did not know they were being recorded.

Ms Harrison later said at civil proceedings the leak of the sex tape was her “worst nightmare” and left her feeling “violated and used”.

During Bear’s hearing, the judge added that Bear had known the footage was worth more, as it featured Ms Harrison, and decided to “exploit”, with the video landing on porn sites.

Ms Harrison said Bear's sentencing was a “vindication” for herself.

Ms Harrison, 29, who has appeared on The Only Way Is Essex, Love Island and Olivia Meets Her Match, waived her right to anonymity.

After a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, Bear was found guilty of voyeurism by a majority verdict. He was also found guilty of two counts of disclosing private sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress by a unanimous verdict. He was sentenced in March 2023.