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.

Huw Edwards pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children (Image: Aaron Chown/PA)

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.