BBC insiders have claimed there is “no way back” for 62-year-old presenter Huw Edwards, who has reportedly been shown the results of the corporation’s internal fact-finding investigation. The investigation was launched following allegations in July that Edwards paid a 17-year-old for explicit images.
The teen’s mother alleged that the money Edwards paid was used to fund a crack cocaine habit. However, this was later disputed by the young person involved, who called it ‘nonsense’.
Subsequently, more allegations were made about Edwards’ behavior. It was alleged that he sent “inappropriate” messages to three staff members, one of whom stated that the messages made them feel “uncomfortable”. Edwards also broke lockdown rules by visiting someone he met on a dating site.
The exact findings of the investigation have yet to be made public. The question is how serious they are and whether Edwards can find a way back into public life.
Edwards was the BBC’s highest paid journalist, with an annual salary of £435,000, and had become the respected face of the corporation. He announced the death of Queen Elizabeth II and walked viewers through her funeral. He was expected to anchor next year’s general election, but that now seems impossible.
What path could Edwards take next?
Public relations and crisis consultant Mark Borkowski says the most important consideration is the presenter’s mental health. “When you talk about possible career paths, it’s primarily about how he can get back to a place in his own mind where he can move forward. I suspect that if the report is not in his favor, it will put him in a dark situation again.”
Borkowski suggests Edwards will also look for “bad weather friends” to support him once he loses the BBC’s support. “When you’ve been nurtured by the company, worked in different departments, become the anchor of the biggest events of the last five years – most notably the death of the late Queen – and you’ve had that power and attention, it’s a shock to suddenly be in this position.”
Borkowski praises Edwards’ wife, Vicky Flind, who “filled the news vacuum left by anonymous allegations and took control of the story.” It was Flind who named Edwards as the accused BBC figure, and who also told the world he was receiving inpatient care for serious mental health problems.
That, Borkowski notes, helped Edwards “gain some traction in terms of his image.” His subsequent act of disappearing also helped. “The fact that you haven’t had any photos to keep his name in the conversation — like those sad photos of the person sitting with friends in coffee shops, or coming out of rehab — that’s a good move. Whoever is taking care of him, I think Andy Coulson [the former News of the World editor, who is advising the Edwards family]does the right job.
“Since then we’ve seen other people let down, like Russell Brand. He took the heat off Huw Edwards, just as Huw took the heat off Phillip Schofield.
But according to Borkowski, Edwards will soon have to decide whether he wants to disappear from public view forever or take his career in a new direction. For the former to work, it must be candid with the audience.
“He still hasn’t talked about his personal demons. The story is there. But when he gives that first interview – which will be in high demand – and when he opens up about his mental health struggles, his journey back begins. That is, if he delivers it the right way: the audience is very forgiving if it is real and authentic.”
In fact, Borkowski thinks Edwards could be a valuable advocate, speaking out on an important issue. “He has so much to offer and so much guidance to give, in terms of what it’s like to be in a place where he can’t be who he really is because of the pressure of that public role. He could talk honestly about a recognizable situation; many people are trapped by their own demons. But he had control of the entire country for two weeks – that is unique.”
Of course, that would only work if Edwards is in a healthy enough place to withstand even more criticism by speaking publicly about the most difficult time in his life and a crisis in his career.
A book might be a safer option if Edwards were to strike a favorable deal with a publisher (and he would certainly be offered a large advance to tell his full, candid story). But even then, Edwards should be prepared for stiff questioning during his PhD.
One thing is certain, says Borkowski: “Coming back as a mainstream broadcaster is not an option for him.” It’s also not likely that the company will come to his rescue. “The BBC is a slow-moving organization haunted by its own demons. It will protect its own reputation – and unfortunately it has a tendency to throw people under the bus.”
But, Borkowski continues, “there are countless channels he could go to, like the streamers. You now have more options to create your own content or choose a new medium that works for you, such as a podcast.”
Edwards could potentially focus on a different area – from news to one of his passions, such as Welsh culture or history, or something related to his Christian faith. He has already presented the documentary Bread of Heaven, about religion in Wales, and the historical series The Story of Wales.
Edwards is also a keen amateur organist, who sometimes plays at the Jewin Welsh Presbyterian Chapel in north London, and he has numerous connections with musical organisations: he was honorary chairman of the Gwalia Male Choir from 2005 to 2016, was awarded a fellowship of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in 2019, becoming Vice President of The Bach Choir in 2022. He narrated the BBC Four documentary Organ Stops in 2022.
That’s certainly a less controversial area for his eventual return to broadcasting – should he want to make a comeback. For example, he could interview major musical figures on a podcast, or support Welsh arts organizations in a series for Netflix or Apple TV+. If Wrexham AFC can become international stars, anything is possible.
However, that may depend on public reaction to the study’s findings, and whether arts organizations and/or streaming services are keen to collaborate with him.
We probably won’t see Edwards following Matt Hancock and Nigel Farage on I’m A Celebrity. Its main asset is its gravity – which wouldn’t survive chewing on kangaroo anus in the jungle.
But it’s not outside the realm of possibility that he could win the hearts of the public through a stint of brilliant waltzes on Strictly Come Dancing, or by appearing in a lower profile reality show like, say, the Stand Up To Cancer version of Bake Off.
Or could Edwards find a fresh new audience in the Millennials or Gen Z as he gets candid about mental health and celebrity pressure? That sounds closer to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle territory.
Borkowski is skeptical. “Those generations already have their own heroes,” he emphasizes. “Actually, there are a huge number of people who are a little older and for whatever reason don’t have the same ability to express themselves. That’s probably more who he could represent.”
Edwards’s retirement from the BBC could even be a career opportunity if he plays his cards right. Borkowski draws comparisons with sports pundits Andy Gray and Richard Keys, who left Sky Sports after being criticized for sexist behavior but who now work for Al Jazeera Qatar’s beIN Sports – “and arguably attract a bigger audience than when they were at Sky”.
Likewise, Edwards could still turn this to his advantage, Borkowski predicts. “He still has tremendous ability as a communicator and a great presence.” This could be the beginning of a whole new chapter.