Huw Edwards resigns from BBC following photo scandal

Huw Edwards has resigned from the BBC nine months after reports claimed that the newsreader had paid a young person for sexually explicit images.

A BBC spokesperson has since issued a statement on his resignation.

It reads: "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."

He was named last summer (12 July 2023) by his wife Vicky Flind, who said at the time that Huw was 'suffering from serious mental health issues' and was receiving in-patient hospital care.

Huw Edwards resigned from the BBC. (BBC)

In a statement released to the PA, Flind said at the time: "In light of the recent reporting regarding the ‘BBC Presenter’ I am making this statement on behalf of my husband Huw Edwards, after what have been five extremely difficult days for our family. I am doing this primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children.

"Huw is suffering from serious mental health issues. As is well documented, he has been treated for severe depression in recent years. The events of the last few days have greatly worsened matters, he has suffered another serious episode and is now receiving in-patient hospital care where he’ll stay for the foreseeable future.

"Once well enough to do so, he intends to respond to the stories that have been published. To be clear Huw was first told that there were allegations being made against him last Thursday.

"In the circumstances and given Huw’s condition I would like to ask that the privacy of my family and everyone else caught up in these upsetting events is respected. I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation. We hope this statement will bring that to an end."

The allegations were first reported by The Sun newspaper, with a mum claiming a well-known 'BBC presenter' paid her child, said to have been 17 when the payments began, around £35,000 in exchange for the pictures.

In response to the allegations, a BBC spokesman said last year: "The BBC first became aware of a complaint in May.

Edwards worked at the BBC for 40 years. (BBC).

"New allegations were put to us on Thursday of a different nature and, in addition to our own inquiries, we have also been in touch with external authorities, in line with our protocols.

"We can also confirm a male member of staff has been suspended. We expect to be in a position to provide a further update in the coming days as the process continues. The BBC board will continue to be kept up to date."

The statement added that the corporation has 'robust internal processes in place to proactively deal with such allegations'.

"This is a complex and fast-moving set of circumstances and the BBC is working as quickly as possible to establish the facts in order to properly inform appropriate next steps," the BBC said at the time.

"It is important that these matters are handled fairly and with care.

"We have been clear that if - at any point - new information comes to light or is provided to us, this will be acted upon appropriately and actively followed up."

The Metropolitan Police also said at the time that no criminal offence has been committed by the BBC presenter and no formal allegations against him have been made.

The family of the teenager were said to have complained to the BBC on 19 May 2023, but allegedly became frustrated that the star remained on air.

Tyla has reached out to the BBC for further comment.