Huw Edwards reacts to beating Michael Sheen in Welsh Head of State poll

Huw Edwards has reacted to beating Michael Sheen in an online poll on who should become the Republic of Wales’ Head of State.

The BBC broadcaster beat the Hollywood actor by 52 per cent to 48 in the wholly unscientific Twitter poll conducted by social media expert Owen Williams, in which 1,920 votes were cast.

Edwards described the victory as a “landslide” and added that he is “at the service of the nation”.

He also pledged that his first act as President of an independent Wales would be to “canonise” Welsh rugby captain Alun Wyn Jones.

The poll question asked: “Your pick for The Republic of Wales’ first elected Head of State on an eight-year term?”

In response to the result Owen Williams said: “The new Head of State of The Republic of Wales has been announced.

“Huw Edwards of Llanelli was duly elected to serve an eight-year term as the first ever Arlywydd (President) of a free and independent Wales.”

‘Landslide’ 

Edwards said: “52-48 eh? So a landslide win. I am at the service of the nation. Araf deg mae mynd ymhell (It is slowly you go far).”

Edwards was asked by web developer Ben Shearer: “As head of state of Wales, do you still have to bow to @AlunWynJones?.

The broadcaster replied: “My first act as President will be to canonise @AlunWynJones for Making Cymru Great Again.”

The poll conducted by Owen Williams was in response to another wholly unscientific Twitter poll by Nation.Cymru.

The Nation.Cymru poll asked: “If Wales ever became independent, what kind of Head of State would you rather have?”

The options were Hereditary Monarchy, which received 7.1 per cent of the votes cast, Head of Executive, which received 13.7 per cent, Elected Ceremonial, which received 52.9 per cent, and Federal council, which received 26.2 per cent. This was out of 2,188 votes cast in total.