A new Channel 5 drama stars Martin Clunes as Huw Edwards
Huw Edwards has vowed to tell his side(Image: PA)
Former BBC newsreader Huw Edwards has broken his silence over Channel 5’s new drama as he makes an explosive statement.
Actor Martin Clunes has taken on the role of former BBC newsreader Huw Edwards in a new Channel 5 drama that looks into the scandal that caused him to step down from his long-standing role.
The two-part factual series, Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards, will recount how one of the most recognisable figures in British television was at the centre of one of the biggest scandals at the public broadcaster.
Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. And don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.
Edwards was reported as one of BBC’s highest-paid newsreaders, where viewers saw him regularly present BBC’s News at Ten for many decades.
In 2024, however, Edwards pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children. He admitted to three counts of making indecent images of children at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in July.
The court was informed that Edwards had participated in WhatsApp conversations with a man who sent him 41 indecent images of children between December 2020 and August 2021.
Now, Edwards has broken his silence in an interview with the Daily Mail where he vows to share his side of the story and slams Channel 5.
His statement reads: “[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.”
Martin Clunes stars as Edwards in new Channel 5 drama(Image: PA)
Speaking about wanting to tell his own side of the story, Edwards continued: “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.
“I 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.”
A 5 spokesperson said the drama 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 6 weeks before transmission.”