Channel 5 has hit back at Huw Edwards after the disgraced former BBC News anchor condemned its new drama series starring Martin Clunes.
Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards, follows the real-life story of how the BBC presenter became the centre of a grooming scandal.
Edwards, who presented the BBC’s News at Ten for decades and broke some of the biggest stories including the death of Queen Elizabeth II, pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children in July 2024.
Doc Martin actor Clunes, 64, plays the Welsh anchorman in the series that hit screens last night, with the action showcasing how the former BBC stalwart led a double life.
Edwards, 64, who earned £475,000 a year at the corporation, secretly groomed a vulnerable 17-year-old boy while working as Britain’s most respected newsreader.
He was suspended by the BBC in July 2023 and was later convicted of making indecent images of children for which he received a six-month suspended sentence in September 2024.
Channel 5 has hit back at Huw Edwards after the disgraced former BBC News anchor condemned its new drama series starring Martin Clunes
Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards, follows the real-life story of how the BBC presenter became the centre of a grooming scandal. Pictured: Martin Clunes as Edwards
Before the drama hit screens on Tuesday, March 24 Edwards hit back against Channel 5 by alleging it made ‘no attempt to check the truth’ with him.
He told the Daily Mail: ‘[Channel 5] made no attempt to check with me the truth of any aspect of their narrative before going ahead with the production.
‘They belatedly asked for a response after the drama had been made, while reserving the right to edit any such response. They also refused to disclose whether any of those making allegations had been paid for their contributions.
‘Channel 5’s “factual drama” is hardly likely to convey the reality of what happened.’
However, Channel 5 have now hit back against the comments, with a spokesman responding that all allegations had been ‘put to Edwards six weeks’ in advance.
The spokesman said: ‘[The series] is based on extensive interviews with the victim, his family, the journalists who revealed his story, text exchanges between the victim and Edwards, and court reporting.
‘It has been produced in accordance with Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code.
‘All allegations made in the film were put to Huw Edwards via his solicitors six weeks before transmission.’
Channel 5 have now hit back against Edwards’ comments, with a spokesman responding that all allegations had been ‘put to Edwards six weeks’ in advance
It comes as the man groomed by the disgraced newsreader has insisted he ‘won’t be silenced’ and will not let the ordeal ruin his life.
The Daily Mail reported how the victim, who was just 17 at the time and was pressured into sending Edwards explicit content which led to him developing a drug addiction, is determined to move on.
In words that will air at the end of the show, he said: ‘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. I chose to tell my story so no one who has been silenced feels they are alone. Your truth deserves to be heard.’
The victim was involved in the show, executive producer Sam Ansti revealed, adding: ‘The victim is an incredible young man and I was struck by his big smile and polite manner when I met him, and how resilient he has been throughout this.
‘We said whatever changes the victim wanted would have to be made. He was front and centre of our production approach.’
Meanwhile, writer of the show Mark Burt added: ‘It is the victim’s story. He had access to the script and consulted with us.’
Edwards also made a grovelling apology to the Daily Mail, offering ‘regret and remorse’ for his 2024 conviction.
Edwards made a grovelling apology to the Daily Mail, offering ‘regret and remorse’ for his 2024 conviction
He said: ‘My deep regret and remorse for the crimes I committed were expressed in court. In pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity, I took full responsibility for my reprehensible actions.
‘I am repelled by the idea that some people enjoy viewing indecent images of children. Every image represents an innocent victim. I offer my sincere and profound apologies for what I did.’
He has hired showbiz publicist Barry Tomes to help rebuild his career, with Edwards planning to ‘speak out’ as ‘people want to know why he did it’.
Meanwhile, Clunes, 64, was praised by viewers for his ‘career defining performance’ as Edwards in the drama.
Taking to social media as the one-off drama aired, viewers heaped praise on the English actor for delivering a pitch-perfect portrayal.
‘Martin Clunes is giving a career-defining performance,’ shared one. ‘A disturbing, but compelling, portrayal of Huw Edwards. Encapsulating a menacing on-screen domineering presence with hugely impressive aesthetics.’
A second added: ‘You would never thought Martin Clunes could accurately portray the disgraced newsreader in this programme. [sic]
‘To think what Huw Edwards actually did is still shocking. Especially when he had indecent images of young children.’
A third commented: ‘Martin Clunes portrayal of this creep is so convincing, great actor.’
A fourth added: ‘Martin Clunes is such an underrated actor, he is amazing in any role he does.’
Writer of the show Mark Burt added: ‘It is the victim’s story. He had access to the script and consulted with us’. Pictured: Osian Morgan as the victim
While a fifth raved: ‘Martin Clunes is doing an excellent job as Huw Edwards’
Another wrote: ‘This is BAFTA winning material.’
‘Clunes is very good in this, though he doesn’t quite have Edwards’ vacant quality,’ wrote one.
‘Edwards always seemed to be repeating his news scripts phonetically with no idea of what the words meant.’
And announcing plans to develop the show last year, Ben Frow, Chief Content Officer at Channel 5, said: ‘This is an important and shocking story of how a man in a position of power and trust betrayed that status.
‘By gaining exclusive access to the key individuals involved and those who investigated the story, we explore the human cost behind the headlines.
‘As a close collaboration between 5’s factual and scripted teams, this is a first for the channel.’
Edwards’ downfall came after a report in July 2023 alleged that a ‘top BBC Star’ had paid a teenager for sexual pictures. Pictured: Osian Morgan as Ryan and Martin Clunes as Edwards
The factual series is the first collaboration between 5’s factual and scripted commissioning teams.
A former BBC boss recently issued Channel 5 a stern warning, speculating that the new drama would ‘rapidly run into legal problems‘.
Roger Mosey, who previously headed up BBC TV News, admitted he felt the series was ‘very risky’ – instead noting a ‘documentary approach’ would have been safer.
Speaking on Times Radio in January, Roger, 68, who left the broadcaster in 2013 to become master of Selwyn College, Cambridge, told radio hosts Jane Garvey and Fi Glover that a drama would not have been his ‘preferred route’ of looking at the case.
He said: ‘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
‘But as we saw, you remember Steve Coogan’s film made about Richard III… once you start doing a narrative in a movie of good guys and bad guys and who did it, you can run into legal problems really very, very rapidly.
‘Drama would not be my preferred route of looking at this.’
Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards is available to stream on Channel 5’s streaming service, My5
