Support our Nation today - please donate here
News

Huw Edwards removed from Doctor Who as episode is put back on iPlayer

13 Feb 2025 3 minute read
Former BBC broadcaster Huw Edwards. Photo Aaron Chown/PA Wire

Former BBC broadcaster Huw Edwards has been officially removed from an episode of Doctor Who.

The corporation has put the programme back on BBC iPlayer, after taking the 2006 episode down last year following disgraced ex presenter Edwards admitting to having indecent images of children.

In the original version of the programme, Edwards’ voice can be heard from a televised BBC news report when the Doctor (David Tennant) and his companion Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) travel to the future for the London 2012 Olympics.

The instalment, titled Fear Her, now has a disclaimer message on iPlayer, saying: “This programme has been edited since broadcast.

“There are a number of reasons why a programme may have been edited including legal, contractual or technical issues.”

Voice actress

The voice of Edwards has been replaced by voice actress Becky Wright for the fake news report, which comments on the 80,000 Olympics spectators disappearing before the Doctor stepped in.

Wright says: “My God, what’s going on here? The crowd has vanished, they’re gone, everyone has gone.

“Thousands of people have just gone, right in front of my eyes, it’s impossible. Bob? Bob, can we join you in the box? Not you too, Bob. Over 80,000 spectators, and 13,000 athletes, they’re gone, all of those people … it’s a terrible turn of events, don’t really know what happened.”

Previously, Edwards said: “My God, what’s going on here? The crowd has vanished, they’re gone, everyone has gone, thousands of people have just gone right in front of my eyes.

“It’s impossible. Bob, can we join you in the box? Bob? Not you too Bob? It’s a terrible turn of events.”

Suspended prison sentence

Last year, Edwards, 63, was handed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

After his guilty plea in July, the BBC asked him to return his salary, which he was paid during the period following his arrest in November 2023 until he resigned in April 2024.

A slew of universities, including the Welsh star’s alma mater, Cardiff University, removed him from honorary positions, and a plaque and mural featuring him were painted over and taken away.

When the BBC took down the Doctor Who episode, a corporation spokesperson said: “As you would expect we are actively considering the availability of our archive.

“While we don’t routinely delete content from the BBC archive as it is a matter of historical record, we do consider the continued use and re-use of material on a case-by-case basis.”


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.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

3 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Y Cymro
Y Cymro
16 days ago

Not wholly surprising seeing Jimmy Saville, Garry Glitter, Rolf Harris & Stuart Hall, all who faced the same fate after their convictions. Predator Huw Edwards because of his offences will now be effectively erased from broadcasting history. His long career in television and accolades accrued now in tatters. All because of his disgusting urges. I feel sorry for his family. They are victims too.

Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
16 days ago

Pity they can’t delete Fat Shanks and Gove too and the whole top of BBC News team, who should still be banged-up for what they were party to for the last couple of decades…

Evan Aled Bayton
Evan Aled Bayton
16 days ago

Who cares in this Stalinist age when truth is manipulated for current sensitivities? I have a surreal image of a pub bar room where Edwards and several others fallen out of favour are drinking under portraits of Rolf Harris and Jimmy Savile.

Our Supporters

All information provided to Nation.Cymru will be handled sensitively and within the boundaries of the Data Protection Act 2018.