Martin Clunes Defends Controversial Huw Edwards Drama on GMB
Martin Clunes delivered a defiant message to Huw Edwards during his appearance on Tuesday's episode of Good Morning Britain, addressing the former BBC presenter's fury over the upcoming Channel 5 drama tracking his downfall. The 64-year-old actor, who portrays Edwards in Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards, joined hosts Susanna Reid and Ed Balls to discuss the controversial production set to air on Tuesday evening, 24 March 2026.
The Drama's Content and Edwards' Conviction
The Channel 5 drama follows the real-life story of how Huw Edwards, the former BBC News at Ten presenter for decades, became embroiled in a grooming scandal. Edwards, who reported major stories including the death of Queen Elizabeth II, pleaded guilty in July 2024 to making indecent images of children. The series explores his double life, depicting grooming scenes with a vulnerable 17-year-old boy and his interactions with another individual who sent him child abuse imagery.
Clunes addressed Edwards' criticism of the drama's fact-checking, stating, 'The word power is everything. There is a weird circulatory nature to this, because I appreciate he's upset by the fact that we've made this programme... But he would have reported on other downfalls. Other people's disgrace, without a second thought, it goes round and round, doesn't it? The media thing.'
Timing and Criticism of the Production
When Susanna Reid questioned whether it was too soon to produce such a drama, Clunes bluntly responded, 'I don't know. If anybody thinks it's too soon, don't watch it. I don't think it's too soon, I don't know what the timetable is for these things.' The actor, known for roles in Doc Martin and Manhunt, shared his candid reason for taking the role, denying any activist motives. 'No. No I'm not,' he said when asked if he chooses roles to raise awareness. 'Maybe I've matured. I don't know. But I've never had a conscience "I must do this, I must do that". It's the job I do that pays for anything, you know.'
Legal Warnings and Industry Concerns
Meanwhile, former BBC TV News head Roger Mosey issued a stern warning to Channel 5, speculating that the drama 'will rapidly run into legal problems.' Speaking on Times Radio, Mosey, who left the BBC in 2013, described the series as 'very risky' and suggested a documentary approach would have been safer. 'Dramas involving living people are always very risky. A documentary approach seems to me to be completely legitimate and right and you should have the right to investigate,' he said, referencing legal issues in similar productions.
Edwards, who earned £475,000 annually at the BBC, was suspended in July 2023 and later received a six-month suspended sentence in September 2024. Channel 5's teaser for the series, directed by BAFTA and Emmy winner Michael Samuels, highlights the exploration of Edwards' secret life and his eventual exit from public life following his conviction for serious child sexual offences.
