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 that he has overcome his battle with drugs and refuses to let Edwards define his life.
The drama also documents how Edwards struck up a separate online friendship with a man called Alex Williams, who sent him messages containing child abuse imagery. This led to Edwards’s conviction in 2024 for accessing indecent images of children as young as seven, for which he received a six-month suspended prison sentence.
Speaking at a screening in London, executive producer Sam Anstiss said the timing was right 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 show covers how Ryan’s family tried to complain to the BBC but had problems with the procedure, which the BBC apologised for in 2024. The corporation has been made aware that it features in the programme. 'Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards' will air at 9pm on 24 March on Channel 5.
