The man groomed by disgraced newsreader Huw Edwards insists he ‘won’t be silenced’ and will not let the ordeal ruin his life.
When he was just 17-year-old, the victim was pressured into sending Edwards explicit content which led to him developing a drug addiction.
Now, aged 23, he is determined to move on and is clean following his tough substance battle.
On the eve of the Channel 5 drama Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards, starring Martin Clunes, the man 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.’
His powerful words will appear at the end of the show.
It follows the real-life story of how the former BBC news presenter, 64, became the centre of a grooming scandal and pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children.
The man groomed by disgraced newsreader Huw Edwards insists he ‘won’t be silenced’ and will not let the ordeal ruin his life
His quotes will appear at the end of the Channel 5 drama Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards, starring Martin Clunes and Osian Morgan
The victim was given control over how the show, revealed the executive producer Sam Ansti, who said: ‘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, who earned £475,000 a year presenting the BBC’s News at Ten for decades and broke some of the biggest stories, including the death of Queen Elizabeth II, was suspended 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.
He has since retreated from London to a quiet Welsh village where his mother lives and is currently focusing on rebuilding his family. His ex-wife, Vicky Flind, ended their 30-year marriage after police charged him. They have five children together.
Earlier this week, Edwards lambasted Wonderhood, the production company behind the exposing drama.
In a statement issued exclusively to the Daily Mail, Edwards said: ‘Channel 5’s ‘factual drama’ is hardly likely to convey the reality of what happened.
‘[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.’
Writer of the show Mark Burt added: ‘It is the victim’s story. He had access to the script and consulted with us’
Edwards is yet to see the show but 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.’
A Channel 5 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.’
Edwards also 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’.
Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards will air tonight at 9pm on Channel 5 and its streaming service My5.
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