Disgraced BBC presenter Huw Edwards has reportedly fallen out with his former publicist, Barry Tomes, over Edwards's recent decision to launch a blog on Substack. Tomes, who had offered to help Edwards rebuild his career without charge, expressed disapproval of the move, stating that the public is no longer interested in Edwards's opinions.
Edwards, 64, was taken off air three years ago after pleading guilty to charges of making indecent images of children. In September 2024, he received a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. His wife of 30 years, Vicky Flind, left him following the charges.
Barry Tomes, 70, a publicist with decades of experience, stepped in to assist Edwards after his guilty plea. Tomes represented Edwards for seven days during the broadcast of a Channel 5 drama about the presenter's downfall. His decision to support Edwards drew public backlash. However, Tomes now believes Edwards is making a mistake by attempting a public comeback via Substack.
"Huw told me he didn’t want to go back to TV," Tomes stated. "He said that part of his life was categorically over. But I just think he now wants the limelight again. I think he misses that. It must be a craving for him."
Tomes further elaborated, "I wouldn’t work with Huw again, absolutely not. I wouldn’t work with him for £100,000 a year because he’s getting it all wrong. I don’t think Substack is the platform for someone like Huw Edwards. He has to accept that nobody cares about his opinion on the new Prime Minister or the economy. Nobody cares. When you commit that type of crime, nobody cares about you anymore."
Edwards launched his Substack blog on Wednesday, marking his first public move since being suspended by the BBC. The first post, titled 'Welcome,' with a subheading 'A first step...,' announced a 'Relaunch.' In it, Edwards stated his intention to offer thoughts on "matters of national and local interest" based on his "four decades years [sic] in broadcast journalism."
He also indicated a willingness to discuss his experiences with the criminal justice system, the courts, police, Crown Prosecution Service, and Probation Service, as well as "long-term mental illness." Edwards expressed hope that his posts might help others facing similar challenges. He promised to post weekly and stated there would be no paid subscriptions.
Tomes advised Edwards against making any public moves while still serving his sentence, which concluded in September. "I told him he shouldn’t do anything while he’s still serving his sentence, which will be until September," Tomes said. "If he had been in prison, he wouldn’t have the chance to do this. So I don’t think he should be doing it even though he’s not."
Tomes suggested that Edwards might be influenced by friends encouraging a return to the spotlight. "I think he’s probably surrounded by some close friends who are saying: 'You don’t deserve this, you should go back out there.' But people will just want to slate him. He’s opening himself up to ridicule."
Edwards, who at his peak earned over £520,000 annually from license-fee payers, was initially suspended by the BBC on full pay before his departure. Tomes, who has previously handled public relations for The Beach Boys, admitted he was not nervous about representing Edwards, stating he has "broad shoulders" and "life experience."