Huw Edwards’ wife confirmed Edwards as the mysterious “BBC presenter” under investigation for an alleged sexting incident in a statement posted on Wednesday.
The BBC stated last week that it is considering “very seriously” allegations that one of its presenters paid a 17-year-old for obscene pictures. The charges were made against a “well-known” BBC presenter, who was not named because of privacy rules in the United Kingdom.
Because of the absence of identification, rumors, and accusations flew, and certain BBC broadcasters became the target of suspicion. Several people quickly issued statements denying that they were the person in question.
Rylan Clark, who’s filming abroad for the BBC, tweeted: “Not sure why my names floating about but re that story in the sun- that ain’t me babe. I’m currently filming a show in Italy for the BBC, so take my name out ya mouths.”
Gary Lineker tweeted that he disliked disappointing “haters,” but the presenter in question was also not him.
Jeremy Vine also tweeted “Just to say I’m very much looking forward to hosting my radio show on Monday – whoever the ‘BBC Presenter’ in the news is, I have the same message for you as Rylan did earlier: it certainly ain’t me.”
On Tuesday, Vine added, “I’m starting to think the BBC Presenter involved in the scandal should now come forward publicly. These new allegations will result in yet more vitriol being thrown at perfectly innocent colleagues of his. And the BBC, which I’m sure he loves, is on its knees with this. But it is his decision and his alone.”
After days of speculation about who the mystery man behind the alleged crime may be, Huw Edwards issued a statement through his wife, Vicky Flind. Edwards, 61, is the primary midnight BBC bulletin anchor.
Vicky Flind’s statement
“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,” Flind began.
“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.”
Flind continued that the last several days had “greatly worsened” matters and that Edwards had “suffered another serious episode” and was receiving in-patient hospital care “for the foreseeable future.”
According to Flind, her husband intends to address the claims against him once he has recovered sufficiently.
“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,” she added. “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.”
What is Huw Edwards accused of?
The charges against the well-known broadcaster, who announced Queen Elizabeth’s death and reported during King Charles’ coronation, surfaced last week when the Sun revealed that the presenter had paid a young person more than $45,500 in exchange for graphic images starting when the individual was 17.
The alleged recipient’s mother told the Sun that she blamed the BBC anchor for ruining her child’s life and that the money was spent on drugs.
“When I see him on telly, I feel sick,” she told the outlet of Edwards. “Taking my child’s innocence and handing over the money for crack cocaine that could kill my child.”
The mother later claimed to have seen Edwards on the youth’s phone, in a screenshot from a video chat in which the presenter is seen “leaning forward, getting ready for my child to perform for him.”
BBC’s official statement on Huw Edwards’ controversy
The BBC also released a statement: “We have seen the statement from the police confirming they have completed their assessment and are not taking further action. We’re grateful to them for completing this work at speed. The police had previously asked us to pause our fact-finding investigations and we will now move forward with that work, ensuring due process and a thorough assessment of the facts, whilst continuing to be mindful of our duty of care to all involved.”
