Crime & Safety
What happened to presenter Huw Edwards and where is he now?
However, the downfall of the Welsh presenter came after 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, and he later resigned from the BBC and was charged in June 2024 following a Metropolitan Police investigation.
Now, a Channel 5 drama titled Power: The Downfall Of Huw Edwards, starring Martin Clunes, will air, focusing on how a young, vulnerable man, played by Osian Morgan, came into contact with one of the most powerful figures in television.
What did Huw Edwards do?
Huw Edwards was a notable news presenter, having been the lead presenter of BBC News at Ten from 2003 to 2023.
During his time at the BBC, he presented on BBC News at Six, BBC News at One, BBC Weekend News, Daily Politics and the international news channel BBC World News.
Edwards covered the 2019 General Election and major royal events, such as the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022 and the coronation of Charles III and Camilla the following year.
The Welsh broadcaster was one of the BBC’s highest-paid presenters.
In 2023, Edwards was accused of sexual misconduct, with reports saying he paid a teenager for sexual images.
He was suspended by the BBC following the allegations, and the South Wales Police and the Metropolitan Police found no evidence of criminal conduct.
Edwards was hospitalised with depression shortly afterwards and resigned in April 2024.
In June 2024, Edwards was charged with three counts of making indecent images of children.
In July, he pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children by receiving them during online chats and, in September, was given a six-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, and placed on the sex offenders’ register.
The new Channel 5 show is a two-part drama that will “explore the newsreader’s double life as it spirals out of control, leading to his exit from public life following his conviction for making indecent images of children”.
Martin Clunes will play Edwards, with the factual drama based on first-hand interviews with those at the heart of the story, and many of the text messages between Edwards and the young man.
Where is Huw Edwards now?
Reports suggest Edwards is living a reclusive life in South Wales, staying at his mother’s bungalow following his conviction.
Edwards and his wife, Vicky Flind, lived in a home in Dulwich, London, which went up for sale after the scandal.
In July 2024, it was reported that Edwards and Flind had separated some time ago and that Edwards had been living elsewhere.
Flind reportedly filed for divorce after Edwards’ sentencing, with the home going on the market as part of the proceedings.
Edwards will remain on the sex offenders register for another five years, which is not a public list but a monitoring systen,
He can travel and go abroad, but must provide the police with prior notice.
He broke his silence on the upcoming Channel 5 drama this week, saying in a damning statement: “[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 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.”
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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 six weeks before transmission.”
Power: The Downfall Of Huw Edwards airs on Channel 5 on Tuesday, March 24 at 9pm.
Will you be watching the new Channel 5 show when it airs? Let us know in the comments.
Cherwell District Council is working alongside Banbury Town Council and the Quays Consortium to prepare a formal expression of interest for the new national competition, which aims to celebrate the cultural and heritage contributions of towns across the country.
David Hingley, leader of Cherwell District Council, said: “I’m proud to confirm that alongside our partners we will be submitting an expression of interest for Banbury to be recognised as the UK Town of Culture 2028.
“This competition is our opportunity to show the rich, diverse and historic heritage that makes Banbury so special and unique, and to leave a lasting legacy for the future.
“From our outdoor market, thriving community initiatives, popular festivals, grassroots arts and wellbeing projects, to youth sporting programmes, culture is already at the heart of Banbury, and this bid will help us shine a spotlight on the town, its people and its stories.”
The UK Town of Culture 2028 winner will receive £3 million to deliver a six-month programme of cultural events and activities.
Banbury’s expression of interest will showcase its distinct identity and outline how the programme could broaden resident engagement, increase access to arts and heritage, and involve communities in shaping the design and legacy of the programme.
The council is engaging with partners such as Banbury Museum, The Mill Arts Centre, cultural organisations, businesses, and community groups to strengthen the bid and realise the town’s cultural ambitions.
Helen & Douglas House, which cares for terminally ill children and their families, launched its revamped clothing store on March 12.
The updated shop was opened by BBC Radio Oxford presenter Adam Ball and joins the charity’s refurbished homeware shop, which reopened last September and occupies the other half of the unit.
Baljit Dhindsa, head of retail at Helen & Douglas House, said: “We are delighted to unveil the refurbished space, which has been thoughtfully redesigned to create a brighter, more modern shopping environment while continuing our commitment to sustainability.
“The new layout allows us to showcase an even wider selection of clothing and accessories, with improved displays and more space on the shop floor.
“We have also enhanced accessibility within the shop, including adding an additional accessible fitting room to ensure a comfortable experience for all our customers.”
The reimagined boutique-style shop features a contemporary, urban-inspired design with vintage touches and improved backroom facilities, allowing for increased donations and more efficient sorting.
Proceeds from the store directly support Helen & Douglas House’s hospice care in Oxford and in people’s homes.
Ms Dhindsa said: “When you buy something from our shop for £5, this could pay for arts and crafts materials for local terminally ill children to make Mother’s Day cards whilst staying at the hospice in Oxford.
“Our spring collection is now in store so do pop in to checkout our great range of clothing and accessories and take a look at the wonderful transformation of our shop.”
Cotswold Wildlife Park was established by John Heyworth on the Bradwell Grove Estate and opened on Good Friday, March 27, 1970.
It began with 341 animals and has since grown to house more than 1,500 animals across 250 species.
A spokesperson for Cotswold Wildlife Park said: “We hope you’ll join us in celebrating 56 wonderful years of Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens and we’d like to thank our visitors for their loyal support over the years.
“We must thank them for all their support for more than half a century.”
From its early days on a shoestring budget, the park has expanded to include giraffes, which arrived in 2010 for its 40th anniversary, and rhinos such as D’ora, named during its golden jubilee year in 2020.
George the Aldabra giant tortoise is the park’s oldest and only original resident.
To mark the 50th anniversary, keepers made him a special cake during the lockdown.
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