Huw Edwards resigns from BBC

BBC News presenter Huw Edwards has resigned from the corporation on the advice of his doctors, almost a year after being suspended over the scandal around payment for sexually explicit images. 

A BBC spokesperson said: “Huw Edwards has today resigned and left the BBC. After 40 years of service, Huw has explained that his decision was made on the basis of medical advice from his doctors. The BBC has accepted his resignation which it believes will allow all parties to move forward. We don’t believe it appropriate to comment further.” 

The Welsh journalist was suspended in July last year, and an internal investigation into the incident was opened, after he was named as the BBC presenter accused of paying for sexually explicit images from a teenager. He was hospitalised over mental health concerns when the story first broke.   

The South Wales Police and the Metropolitan Police found no evidence of criminal conduct.

Edwards has anchored coverage on BBC News at Six, BBC News at One, and BBC World News. He announced the death of Elizabeth II in September 2022, and led rolling news coverage following the announcement. He has presented the BBC’s general election coverage and major royal events including the Queen’s state funeral.

He joined the BBC as a news trainee in 1984 and became parliamentary correspondent for BBC Wales in 1986. In 2003, Edwards became the main presenter of the Ten O’Clock News on BBC1. He has also hosted a range of docs and other TV programmes such as BBC1’s Bread of Heaven with Huw Edwards.

In February, the BBC was ordered to beef up its non-editorial complaints processes after criticism of its handling of the case involving the presenter.