Huw Edwards blasts Channel 5 drama Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards in rare statement
Huw reckons the Channel 5 drama is 'hardly likely to convey the reality of what happened'
Huw Edwards has shared a statement ahead of Channel 5’s new factual drama, Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards.
The drama, which airs tonight (March 24), sees Martin Clunes portray Edwards. It explores the story of how a vulnerable 17-year-old boy was groomed by Edwards.
According to the film’s synopsis, it’ll explore “the newsreader’s double life as it spirals out of control, leading him to make the greatest announcement of his career – his total exit from public life following his conviction for serious child sexual offences.”
Earlier this week, Huw blasted the programme makers, declaring that the show is “hardly likely to convey the reality of what happened”. Martin Clunes has also spoken out following complaints that it’s too soon for the real-life story to play out in a TV drama…
Huw Edwards’ statement on Channel 5 drama in full
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Edwards blasted the drama’s production company, Wonderhood. In a statement, he claimed: “They 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.”
Huw, who has not seen the drama, added: “It is difficult to see how this approach can be considered remotely responsible or fair. Or be in compliance with key sections of the Ofcom code on broadcast standards.”
‘Regret and remorse’
Edwards also went on to offer his “regret and remorse” for his crimes. In 2024, he received a six-month sentence suspended for two years after admitting three charges of making indecent images of children.
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He also added that he is planning to produce his “own account of these terrible events”. However, he admitted that it’s a “slow process”. This is due to the “fragile state” of his health.
Huw has been open about his “persistent” mental health struggles over the past 25 years. He added that, while mental illness is “misunderstood”, it can “never be an excuse for criminality”. The ex-newsreader also claimed that mental illness can “help explain why people sometimes behave in shocking and reprehensible ways, and why things fell apart for me in the way they did”.
Channel 5 hits back
Channel 5 has responded to Huw Edwards’ statement.
A spokesperson said: “Power: The Downfall Of Huw Edwards 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.”
Wonderhood has also been approached for comment.
Martin Clunes speaks out
Ahead of the film, which is almost two hours long, Clunes appeared on Good Morning Britain. During his chat, he was asked about complaints that it’s too soon to tell Huw’s story.
The actor was asked by Susanna Reid: “What do you make of the criticism from some that this is too soon, this is recent, it’s not even history. Somebody is living this, a family’s living this.
“You know, the young man’s family is living this as well. I know that they cooperated, but what do you make of that? That there’s a point at which it’s too soon and there’s a point at which it’s okay.”
Clunes added: “I had the script, I do just have to get behind everything the script gives you. Judging it was not on my list of things to do that day. Standing back and saying: ‘This is a terrible man doing terrible things’ – that’s not my task. It was to try and inhabit what the script gives me.”
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