Huw Edwards issues blistering statement slamming drama about his downfall
Disgraced former TV presenter Huw Edwards has spoken out for the first time since receiving a suspended prison sentence for accessing child abuse images – issuing a statement condemning the upcoming drama chronicling his downfall.
In the statement published by The Daily Mail https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-15669767/Huw-Edwards-Channel-5-drama.html, Edwards said the team behind Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards “made no attempt” to verify the two-part drama’s story before shooting. Martin Clunes (Doc Martin) plays the former BBC newsreader in the series.
Edwards also revealed that he planned to tell his side of the story, which saw him rise to become the UK’s best-known news anchor, before workplace misconduct allegations and a child pornography conviction ruined his reputation
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.
“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.”
Edwards allegedly paid a teenager at the BBC for sexual pictures, and subsequently pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children. In September 2024, he received a six-month suspended prison sentence and apologised for the “repugnant” nature of his offences. Edwards was also ordered to undergo sex offender rehabilitation and was placed on the sex offenders register for seven years.
A 5 spokesperson said: “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 six weeks before transmission.”
MORE: First look trailer for new drama starring Martin Clunes as Huw Edwards
Support our Nation today
For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.
Repugnant stuff from a man who should thank his lucky stars that he wasn’t put away for life. Disappointed that the headline says “Blistering” when it should say “Whining”.
All those apologies count for not a lot when, in reality, he’s only sorry that he was caught.
This drama is an unnecessary promotion of an unpleasant to say the least event and is in itself a form of pornography. It is gratuitous and won’t do the reputations of the actors playing the roles any good at all. It should never have been considered for production and should be stopped.
And to think he was being spoken of as a possible independent candidate to be President of Wales post referendum too.
Horrible man, horrible crime. I sympathise with those struggling from mental illness, but even his own admission that it does not excuse his behaviour, ends up sounding like he’s making an excuse. Please, NC, do not post any more guff from this person. You are giving him a platform he does not deserve. Ffiaidd.
However repugnant his behaviour his sentence followed UK Sentencing Council guidelines.taking into account mitigating factors.
His high profile status allowed many to weaponise him as an attack on the BBC generally
Certainly by many who seem to turn a blind eye to the behaviour of those mentioned in the Epstein files
Irrelevant deflection. Should have been put away for life for the images alone. That’s before you get to his manipulation of a vulnerable teenager. That he is free is the saddest indictment on our society and demonstrates clearly how far we have fallen.
Well maybe you are not fully conversant with the facts or the law. He did pass the “custody theshold” but didn’t create the images himself The maximum sentence for simple possession of indecent images (Section 160 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988) is 5 years in prison The court found that Edwards did not pose a current, direct risk to the public or children . There were also a number of mitigating factors considerd in his sentence His 6 mths suspended sentence included a 40-day sex offender treatment program, 25 rehabilitation sessions, and placement on the sex offenders register for seven years… Read more »
That you defend him says everything. Life imprisonment.
You seem to be having an argument with yourself .
Not defending him at all
Just pointing that his offence doesnt warrant a life sentence
The law doesnt allow for it
There are also those who have used him to weaponise an attack on the BBC generally
The same people who are prepared to turn a blind eye to actual child rape .
Who cares what Who? Edwards thinks…
This is one story that neither side emerges well from. Edwards would do well to get back under his rock considering the grim nature of his crimes, and Channel 5 should consider whether they really want to be thought of as nothing more than purveyors of cheap, sensationalist true crime slop like this ‘factual drama’.
He has no shame. In addition to grooming a teenage boy during the pandemic, he possessed and created child pornography on his phone. Huw Edwards is an embarrassment to Wales and should disappear into obscurity, where he belongs.
I think your headline should real ‘Huw Edwards whinges’.
Knowing the way the crachach protect their own, I’m sure he’ll be back as Head of S4C soon enough.