BBC removes Huw Edwards from family and entertainment content

The BBC has begun removing Huw Edwards from some of its archive footage after he pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children.

The former BBC presenter’s image and voice are being scrubbed from family and entertainment content on iPlayer, which includes the removal of a Doctor who episode, according to The Watcher It is BBC News.

An episode of Excellent British menu he appeared in is also no longer available.

Edwards, who was the BBC’s highest-paid newsreader until he resigned in April citing medical advice, admitted last week that he had accessed indecent images of children as young as seven. He also admitted possessing 41 indecent images of children that were sent to him by convicted paedophile Alex Williams via WhatsApp.

A BBC spokesperson said: “As you would expect, we are actively considering the availability of our archive.

“While we do not routinely delete content from the BBC archive as it is a matter of historical record, we do consider the continued use and reuse of material on a case-by-case basis.”

The now removed Doctor who 2006 episode featured Edwards’ voice, which was heard as part of a televised broadcast BBC News report.

In the episode, the Doctor and his companion Rose Tyler, played by David Tennant and Billie Piper respectively, travel to the future, to the London 2012 Olympics, where Edwards’ voice makes an appearance.

It is believed that the episode will be dubbed and made available again.

Conversations within the BBC have focused on protecting future audiences from seeing “disturbing” repeats of its most visible work in news and on state occasions such as the funerals of Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II, according to The Watcher.

Edwards’ guilty plea following his arrest in November prompted other institutions to remove pictures of him across Wales, where he had been celebrated as a national treasure.

A mural of the former newsreader in his home town of Llangennech, Carmarthenshire, has been removed.

Artist Steve Jenkins, 50, painted the portrait on Tuesday.

Cardiff council also removed a plaque commemorating Edwards at Cardiff Castle.

At the time of his resignation, Edwards was paid between £475,000 and £479,999 for the 2023/24 year, according to the BBC’s latest annual report.

He was also given a £40,000 pay rise before his suspension last July over allegations he paid a teenage girl for explicit photos.

In an interview with BBC NewsBBC Director General Tim Davie was asked about the corporation’s handling of the case.

Responding to a question about whether the 62-year-old would be able to keep his pension, Mr Davie said it was “very difficult to get back, almost impossible”, adding: “Unfortunately, those are the specifics of how it works.

“When it comes to payment, again, it is legally challenging, but we will look at all options.”

The BBC chief added he was “very shocked” when the allegations came to light earlier this week, adding the revelation was “deeply disturbing”.

Separately, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said it was wrong for Edwards to continue to receive his salary and that he “should pay it back”.