Warning: This article contains discussion of child abuse which some readers may find distressing.
Former BBC presenter Huw Edwards has said he's working on telling his side of the story as he spoke out on Channel 5's new drama centred on his conviction for accessing indecent images of children.
Edwards, 64, was one of the BBC’s best-known and highest-paid newsreaders, fronting News at Ten for decades, but his career unravelled in July 2023 after the Sun reported that a senior BBC figure had paid a teenager for explicit images.
Within days, his wife publicly identified him as the presenter involved.
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Following a Met Police investigation, he was charged in June 2024, and the following month, Edwards pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children, admitting to possessing 41 images of children, seven of which were classified in the most serious category.
He was given a six-month sentence, suspended for two years.
Ahead of the release of Channel 5's Power: The Downfall Of Huw Edwards, which stars Martin Clunes, Edwards has issued a statement to the Daily Mail, claiming the series is 'hardly likely to convey the reality of what happened'.
'Reprehensible actions'
"[They] made no attempt to check with me the truth of any aspect of their narrative before going ahead with the production," Edwards claimed.
"They belatedly asked for a response after the drama had been made, while reserving the right to edit any such response. They also refused to disclose whether any of those making allegations had been paid for their contributions."
The statement continued: "My deep regret and remorse for the crimes I committed were expressed in court.
"In pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity, I took full responsibility for my reprehensible actions.
"I am repelled by the idea that some people enjoy viewing indecent images of children. Every image represents an innocent victim. I offer my sincere and profound apologies for what I did."
'Mental illness is misunderstood by many'
Edwards stated that he plans to tell his side of the story, adding: "I am making an effort to produce my own account of these terrible events. This is a slow process given the fragile state of my health.
"I have been open about my struggle with persistent mental illness over a period of 25 years. What is less well known is the severity of that condition, which was managed successfully until the downward spiral which led to an appalling outcome.
"Mental illness is misunderstood by many, but can never be an excuse for criminality.
"It can, however, at least help explain why people sometimes behave in shocking and reprehensible ways, and why things fell apart for me in the way they did."
Channel 5 told Tyla in a statement: "Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards is based on extensive interviews with the victim, his family, the journalists who revealed his story, text exchanges between the victim and Edwards, and court reporting.
"It has been produced in accordance with Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code. All allegations made in the film were put to Huw Edwards via his solicitors 6 weeks before transmission."
Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards will be available to watch on 5 at 9pm on Tuesday 24th March.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence regarding the welfare of a child, contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000, 10am-8pm Monday to Friday. If you are a child seeking advice and support, call Childline for free on 0800 1111, 24/7.
Topics: Celebrity, Channel 5, Huw Edwards, TV And Film, UK News, Crime, BBC
Rhiannon Ingle