Yes it helped him. People got used to voting for the martyr.

Through utter incompetence.

Or whistle blower

That meant that HMs couldn't nominate him each time ir give reasons. For example, no one could mention about the soup in the bathroom or Sam!s eye "prank" or the numerous other things we haven't been privy to. The viewers couldn't see quite how much he was disliked because no one could put him up.. It also meant that he as free to upset HMs and get lots of camera time as he was nominated anyway.

Just watch the show "Unreal" that is all you need to see to understand what goes on.
However there IS a element of reality with the voting. Bear was the modern day anti-establishment vote, a modern day punk if you like. The truth is though as Bear was so protected he was in fact very much the establishment.
It is what it is and although Rene or maybe Frankie should have won I preferred Bear to win than Ricky who was a nice bloke but really a bit dull.

Thing is, I don't believe they go on votes, at all. You're going to call me a conspiracy theorist now aren't you

Personally, I think they're having a right old laugh at the viewing public.