Disgraced broadcaster Huw Edwards has launched a subscription-based platform on Substack, where he intends to share thoughts on national and local issues, with a particular focus on mental health. Edwards, 64, who was convicted in July 2024 of making indecent images of children and received a suspended prison sentence and a seven-year placement on the sex offenders register, stated in his latest post that he is "uniquely qualified" to address the "silence around serious mental illness."
In his third post on the platform, Edwards expressed "deep regret and remorse" for his crimes, asserting that he pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. He stated, "I am repelled by such images, and my sincere and profound apologies to every person affected do not diminish with time." Edwards also disclosed that he has lived with "persistent mental illness" for over 25 years, which became uncontrolled and led to what he described as an "appalling outcome."
While emphasizing that mental illness "can never be an excuse for criminality," Edwards drew a distinction between an excuse and an explanation, noting that "that difference matters." He expressed a desire to help institutions that he believes respond to mental illness with "punishment rather than understanding."
His initial Substack post, titled "Welcome," with a subheading "A first step...", indicated a "Relaunch" and promised to "offer thoughts on matters of national and local interest." He also stated his intention to discuss the criminal justice system, including the courts, police, Crown Prosecution Service, and Probation Service. Edwards wrote that he is "ready to be unflinchingly honest about the reality of long-term mental illness, and the continued failure to recognise its devastating effects on affected individuals, their families and friends."
Edwards was taken off air following revelations about payments made to a young person for sexually explicit images. Police investigation uncovered numerous indecent images of children, including Category A, B, and C classifications, made by Edwards. Following the charges, his wife, Vicky Flind, left him, and he moved to West Wales to live with his elderly mother.
Despite his conviction, speculation about a potential comeback has surfaced, with some industry insiders drawing parallels to television personality Michael Barrymore. Barrymore, who faced career disruption after an incident in 2001, has since established a presence on platforms like TikTok. The co-founders of Substack have expressed a commitment to supporting creators' speech rights, allowing participation regardless of controversy.
Huw Edwards' former publicist, Barry Tomes, expressed skepticism about his former client's approach, suggesting that Substack may not be the appropriate platform and that the public is unlikely to be interested in his opinions on current events given his criminal conviction. Tomes also advised against making public statements while still serving his sentence, which concludes in September.
Edwards' Substack currently has approximately 540 subscribers. He has shared two posts since launching the platform on Wednesday, with a third post on mental illness and criminality appearing most recently. He also shared a post discussing the possibility of Andy Burnham becoming Prime Minister.