BBC presenter Huw Edwards resigns from corporation on 'medical advice'

BBC presenter Huw Edwards resigns from corporation on 'medical advice'

WATCH NOW: Michael Cole reacts to Huw Edwards being named

GB News
Holly Bishop

By Holly Bishop


Published: 22/04/2024

- 14:07

Updated: 22/04/2024

- 15:16

The newsreader has been off air since last July

Huw Edwards has resigned from the BBC on "medical advice", the broadcaster has said.

The newsreader has been off air since last July, following reports which claimed he paid a young person for sexually explicit images.


"Huw Edwards has today resigned and left the BBC," a statement said on Monday.

"After 40 years of service, Huw has explained that his decision was made on the basis of medical advice from his doctors.

Huw EdwardsBBC Newsreader has Huw Edwards resigned from the broadcaster on 'medical advice'PA

"The BBC has accepted his resignation which it believes will allow all parties to move forward. We don't believe it appropriate to comment further."

Edwards was the BBC's most high-profile news anchor, often being chosen to cover major national events, including the death of Queen Elizabeth in September 2022.

The Welsh journalist had been the main presenter on BBC News at Ten since 2003 and BBC News at Five since 2006, until July 2023.

In February, the BBC issued an apology to the family of the 17-year-old who was at the centre of the allegations.

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The scandal broke when a family member turned to The Sun after claiming the BBC had not responded to a complaint about Edwards dating back to May 18, 2023.

The BBC didn't name Edwards after the allegations came to light but the newsreader's wife Vicky Flind confirmed he was the subject of the reports.

Flind said Edwards was "suffering from serious mental health issues" and was receiving "in-patient hospital care" following the publication of The Sun's report.

Her statement read: "In light of the recent reporting regarding the 'BBC Presenter' I am making this statement on behalf of my husband Huw Edwards, after what have been five extremely difficult days for our family.

Huw Edwards

The BBC didn't name Edwards after the allegations came to light

PA

"I am doing this primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children. Huw is suffering from serious mental health issues. As is well documented, he has been treated for severe depression in recent years.

"The events of the last few days have greatly worsened matters, he has suffered another serious episode and is now receiving in-patient hospital care where he'll stay for the foreseeable future.

"Once well enough to do so, he intends to respond to the stories that have been published. To be clear Huw was first told that there were allegations being made against him last Thursday.

"In the circumstances and given Huw's condition I would like to ask that the privacy of my family and everyone else caught up in these upsetting events is respected.

"I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation. We hope this statement will bring that to an end."

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