Disgraced former BBC newsreader Huw Edwards has launched a weekly online advice column on Substack, where he plans to discuss mental health and "matters of national interest." The 64-year-old, who was convicted in July 2024 for making indecent images of children, has vowed to be "unflinchingly honest" about the "devastating effects" of long-term mental illness.
Return to Public Eye After Conviction
Edwards, once one of the BBC's highest-paid and most trusted presenters, pleaded guilty in July 2024 and received a six-month suspended jail sentence. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for seven years. Since then, he has kept a low profile, but his new Substack mailing list marks his first tentative steps back into the public eye.
On the Substack page, Edwards insisted there are "no plans for paid subscriptions." He appealed for kindness, stating his main focus will be on journalism. "I am also ready to be unflinchingly honest about the reality of long-term mental illness," he wrote. The Substack was made public on June 24, 2026.
First Post and Future Plans
Edwards published his first post on June 25, discussing the possibility of Andy Burnham becoming Prime Minister and sharing a photo of Llantseffan beach near his home in west Wales. He claimed that despite his fall from grace, he remains interested in current events. "After four decades in broadcast journalism — with a focus on Welsh, British and French politics — I am still a keen observer of events," he wrote.
He acknowledged that some may not wish to read his work, but added: "For those who might be interested, I would like to start tentatively by offering some commentary and analysis based on my long experience." Edwards explained his return by noting it has been three years since his last TV broadcast and he feels the time is right to make a change. "One of the ways in which I can try to make a positive contribution — not just in current affairs and cultural analysis, but also in the areas of mental health, overcoming trauma, and attempting to rebuild some kind of worthwhile life — is to share those thoughts with those who wish to hear them," he wrote.
