Fans who tuned into his Radio Five Live show at the weekend discovered that the radio presenter may have something in common with Conservative leader David Cameron.

The revelation came during a debate over newspaper disclosures that the Tory leader smoked the Class C drug as a 15-year-old schoolboy at Eton College.

Responding to a question from a caller, Mr Nolan admitted he had smoked cannabis "years ago".

"Yes, for goodness sake, yes I've smoked cannabis," the candid radio presenter told listeners.

However, when later contacted by the Belfast Telegraph, Mr Nolan insisted that he did not condone or advocate the use of drugs.

He said: "I have tried it once as a student and I have never used it since. I don't like it, I don't condone it and I certainly don't advocate drugs."

The colourful presenter has embraced controversy on numerous occasions, clashing with traffic wardens, residents of Antrim and Uri Geller.

The celebrity spoon-bender hung up on Nolan during a live interview discussing his friend Michael Jackson.

Since then, Nolan has locked horns with local councils after criticising their recycling drives and donned the red uniform to join the much maligned new traffic wardens on patrol.

He also apologised on air after describing residents of the Greystone estate in Antrim as "trailer trash". The residents accepted his apology after he explained it was meant as a joke.

And he was out of pocket to the tune of £1,605 after dismissing Northern Ireland's chances of beating England at Windsor Park in September 2005.

Unlike the forthcoming shock jock, David Cameron has refused to comment on revelations that he had used cannabis in the past.

The Independent on Sunday ran a story stating that he had been disciplined for experimenting with the Class C drug while a schoolboy at Eton.

However, he did make a short statement, saying: "Like many people, I did things when I was young that I shouldn't have done and that I regret. But I do believe that politicians are entitled to a past that remains private."