Channel 5 has defended its controversial drama about the downfall of Huw Edwards, saying it raises the “urgent” issue of grooming and online safety and gives voice to his alleged victim. The programme, titled Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards, stars Martin Clunes as the disgraced former BBC newsreader and charts the claim of a relationship and texts between Edwards and a vulnerable young man.
The alleged victim, given the name “Ryan Davies” to protect his identity, worked with producers on the scripts. In an onscreen message at the end of the programme, he says: “I chose to tell my story now for the first time so that no one who has been silenced feels they are alone. Your truth matters and it deserves to be heard.” Now aged 23, Ryan adds: “After years of struggle, I have finally overcome my battle with drugs. I refuse to let Huw Edwards or what he did define who I am or the life I will yet lead.”
The drama also covers how Edwards struck up a separate online friendship with a man called Alex Williams, which led to Edwards’s conviction in 2024 for accessing indecent images of children as young as seven. He was given a six-month suspended prison sentence.
Speaking at a screening in London, executive producer Sam Anstiss said: “People have talked about the timing of this drama and I would say the timing is really right. Foremost because the victim says it’s right, he’s ready to tell his story, and there are really urgent themes in this drama around online safety, child pornography [and] the leniency of the sentencing.” Channel 5 chief content officer Ben Frow acknowledged criticism but said drama is “the most powerful way” to highlight how grooming works.
The programme reiterates that no criminal action was taken against Edwards in relation to Ryan, and that Edwards was offered an opportunity to comment but declined. Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards airs at 9pm on 24 March on Channel 5.
