Huw Edwards slams new Channel 5 drama with damning statement

Edwards issued a statement condemning the upcoming drama chronicling his downfall.

Premiering tomorrow (Tuesday, March 24), the two-part factual series is titled Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards.

The show will recount how one of the most recognisable figures in British television was at the centre of one of the biggest scandals at the public broadcaster.

In his statement, Edwards said: “[They] 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.

“Channel 5’s ‘factual drama’ is hardly likely to convey the reality of what happened.”

He 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.

“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. 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.”

A 5 spokesperson said in response, 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.”

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What did Huw Edwards do?

Edwards was one of the BBC’s highest-paid newsreaders, known for presenting the BBC’s News at Ten for decades, delivering some of the biggest stories to the British public, including Queen Elizabeth II’s death, before pleading guilty to making indecent images of children in July 2024.

In July 2023, a national newspaper reported that “a top BBC star” had paid a teenager for sexual images.

Days later, Edwards’ wife named him as the presenter at the centre of the scandal. He resigned from the BBC in April and was charged in June 2024 following a Metropolitan Police investigation.