Former BBC presenter Huw Edwards has criticised Channel 5 for failing to “check with me the truth” before producing a drama depicting his downfall. The two-part series, titled Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards, stars Martin Clunes and is due to air from Tuesday at 9pm.
In a statement shared with the Daily Mail, Edwards said production company Wonderhood made no attempt to verify the narrative with him before making the programme. He noted that they belatedly asked for a response after the drama was completed, while reserving the right to edit any such response, and refused to disclose whether those making allegations had been paid. Edwards argued that the “factual drama” was “hardly likely to convey the reality of what happened”.
Edwards also questioned whether the approach complied with key sections of the Ofcom code on broadcast standards. He has previously disputed the principal allegations made in the Sun, which reported in 2023 that he had allegedly paid a teenager £35,000 for intimate images and conversations.
Last week, Channel 5 defended the programme, saying it raised the “urgent” issue of grooming and online safety and gave voice to Edwards’ alleged victim, who said he worked with the production to tell his side of the story. In his statement, Edwards expressed “deep regret and remorse” for his crimes, having received a six-month suspended sentence after admitting three charges of possessing indecent images of children. He said he was repelled by the idea that some people enjoy viewing such images and offered his sincere apologies.
Edwards added that he planned to produce his own account of “these terrible events”, while acknowledging his struggle with persistent mental illness over 25 years. He said mental illness could never excuse criminality but might help explain his behaviour. A Channel 5 spokesperson said the drama was based on extensive interviews, text exchanges, and court reporting, and that all allegations had been put to Edwards via his solicitors six weeks before transmission.
