Huw Edwards' wife issued emotional statement over the BBC presenter’s behaviour

Warning: This article contains discussion of child abuse which some readers may find distressing.

The wife of disgraced former BBC presenter Huw Edwards once delivered an emotional statement regarding her husband's behaviour.

Edwards is making headlines almost three years on since his actions came to light thanks to a brand-new drama chronicling his downfall that has been released on Channel 5.

Martin Clunes stars in the two-part drama, Power: The Downfall Of Huw Edwards, which recounts the events that led to the disgraced BBC presenter pleading guilty to making indecent images of children in July 2024 and admitting to having 41 photographs on WhatsApp, including seven of the most serious type.

Edwards, who was handed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years - previously released a statement, claiming that the production company failed to check the 'truth' of the narratives shown in the TV series.

This was in relation to allegations made by The Sun in July 2023, which claimed that a 'top BBC star' paid a teenager more than £35,000 for sexual pictures.

Within just a matter of days of the allegations, his wife, Vicky Flind, publicly identified him as the presenter involved.

Flind, who shares five children with Edwards, said at the time: "In light of the recent reporting regarding the 'BBC Presenter', I am making this statement on behalf of my husband Huw Edwards, after what have been five extremely difficult days for our family.

"I am doing this primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children.

"Huw is suffering from serious mental health issues. As is well documented, he has been treated for severe depression in recent years.

"The events of the last few days have greatly worsened matters; he has suffered another serious episode and is now receiving inpatient hospital care, where he’ll stay for the foreseeable future.

Huw Edwards was one of the BBC’s highest-paid newsreaders, known for presenting the BBC’s News At Ten for decades (Leon Neal/Getty Images)

"Once well enough to do so, he intends to respond to the stories that have been published."

Flinds' statement at the time concluded: "To be clear, Huw was first told that there were allegations being made against him last Thursday.

"In the circumstances and given Huw’s condition, I would like to ask that the privacy of my family and everyone else caught up in these upsetting events is respected. I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation.

"We hope this statement will bring that to an end."

Following reports of a separation, it was reported in October 2024 that Flind had filed for divorce, per The Times.

Vicky Flind issued a statement 'on behalf of [her] husband' in 2023 (ITV)

In a statement regarding the new Channel 5 drama, made by production company Wonderhood Studios, Edwards told the Daily Mail: "Wonderhood Studios made no attempt to check with me the truth of any aspect of their narrative before going ahead with the production.

"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.

"It is difficult to see how this approach can be considered remotely responsible or fair, or be in compliance with key sections of the Ofcom code on broadcast standards.

"Channel 5’s 'factual drama' is hardly likely to convey the reality of what happened."

Edwards pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children in July 2024 (CPS)

In his statement, Edwards added that he felt 'deep regret and remorse' for his crimes and said his behaviour was 'reckless, shameful, and damaging', adding that he was 'making an effort to produce my own account of these terrible events'.

"This is a slow process, given the fragile state of my health," he said.

"I have been open about my struggle with persistent mental illness over a period of 25 years.

"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."

Martin Clunes stars as Edwards in the Channel 5 drama (Matt Towers/5 Broadcasting/Wonderhood Studios)

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 is available to watch on 5.

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.

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