Channel 5 doubles down as Huw Edwards drama blasted for being 'too soon'

In a statement broadcast at the end of the programme, the young man, known as Ryan Davies to protect his identity, said he chose to speak out now so “no one who has been silenced feels they are alone”.

He added: “I refuse to let Huw Edwards or what he did define who I am or the life I will yet lead.”

The two-part drama, produced with the cooperation of Ryan, his family and The Sun newspaper, explores what creators describe as the “insidious” nature of grooming and the imbalance of power in such relationships.

Executive producer Sam Anstiss said the text exchanges at the heart of the story revealed a “very imbalanced relationship of power”, recalling one message that read: “I love you, but you kill me.”

The programme, which began airing on Tuesday and stars Martin Clunes as Edwards, also depicts messages in which the former presenter called the victim “baby” while asking to be addressed as “daddy”.

Mr Clunes has admitted portraying disgraced former BBC presenter in Channel 5’s drama was “a challenge on a number of levels".

The actor said he focused not just on Edwards but also on the victim, explaining: “Beyond the salacious curiosity… there’s this lad and his family whose lives got turned upside down.”

Mr Clunes insisted actors should avoid judgment, adding: “I certainly don’t think you should ever be judging a character you’re playing,” though he said any initial sympathy for Edwards shifted when evidence emerged.

“Then they found messages… and that was a whole different ball game," he said.

Drawing on archive footage and accounts from those who knew the presenter, some of whom told him Edwards “was never fun to work with”, the actor said filming intense scenes left him unsettled.

He admitted: “I didn’t feel very nice at the end of those scenes… it can be uncomfortable, but it’s all part of the job.”

Channel 5 has robustly defended the timing of the drama after criticism it was aired too soon.

Chief content officer Ben Frow insisted at a recent screening: “I think it isn’t too soon… If you want to reach as many people as possible and highlight how grooming works… drama is the most powerful way to do it.”

Ms Anstiss echoed this, saying: “The timing was right. The victim was ready to tell his story.”

The broadcast comes months after Edwards sparked backlash by updating his Facebook profile with a black-and-white portrait.

While critics, victims’ families and media figures condemned the move as inappropriate given his conviction for possessing indecent images of children, some commenters, including former colleagues and public figures, publicly backed him, with messages such as “looking good”, “hurry back”, and one user even describing his absence as a “huge loss”.

The supportive remarks drew further criticism, with former BBC presenter Danny Kelly branding them “astonishing” and warning those posting them may come to regret it.

He argued that Edwards has yet to issue a personal apology and is unlikely to return to mainstream UK television, despite suggestions he may attempt a comeback through online platforms.

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