Disgraced former BBC newsreader Huw Edwards has released his first published poem, a piece reflecting on his public shame, evolving identity, and his relationship with his late father. The poem was submitted for the 2026 National Eisteddfod's prestigious Crown competition, an event he acknowledged could be controversial given his recent conviction.
Edwards, 64, who was convicted in 2024 of making indecent images of children, uploaded the work to his Substack platform, a move he acknowledged might draw criticism. In an introduction to the poem, titled "Adnabod" (Knowing), Edwards described it as primarily a personal tribute to his father, the celebrated academic Hywel Teifi Edwards. However, he also directly addressed the intense public scrutiny that followed his departure from the BBC, stating that one of the most distressing experiences of 2024 was seeing his relationship with his father "willfully misrepresented by the media."
The poem, originally written in Welsh, begins with the lines "A wayward son / in the torment of his hell," presenting himself as a figure in pain. Throughout the work, Edwards shifts through various identities, from "wayward son" and "defenceless son" to "accursed son," ultimately concluding as a "repentant" and "self-destructive" child seeking forgiveness.
He repeatedly explores the complexity of human nature, the hidden nature of personal struggles, and the ease with which judgment can be passed without understanding. Lines such as "If we could know the truth of our dark condition..." and "Was it fair to judge the emptiness of others without admitting one's own wretched deceit?" underscore these themes.
The poem concludes with the line, "In your death you opened your heart - I knew you, you knew me," suggesting a profound personal reconciliation with his father, who died in January 2010, holds more significance for Edwards than his public image.
Edwards was sentenced to a six-month suspended jail sentence following his conviction for receiving 41 indecent images of children, including sexual videos of a boy under nine, from Alex Williams. The images were classified from Category A to C. This conviction followed a year of extensive media coverage that began when he was identified as the presenter at the center of a scandal involving payments for explicit images.
He has reportedly refused to return approximately £200,000 in salary paid by the BBC between his arrest in November 2023 and his resignation in April 2024. Edwards separated from his wife, Vicky Flind, and has been living an isolated life in Wales with his mother.
His Substack, launched recently, is titled "Croeso. Fáilte. Bienvenue. Welcome," with the subheading "A first step..." In his initial post, Edwards outlined his intention to offer commentary on national and local matters, drawing on his four decades of broadcast journalism experience. He also stated a desire to discuss the criminal justice system and the reality of long-term mental illness, noting his conviction but emphasizing that mental illness is not an excuse for criminality. He expressed hope that sharing his experiences might help others facing similar challenges.
Edwards plans to post weekly without paid subscriptions, acknowledging that some readers may not wish to engage with his content but offering it for those who are interested. He appeared in a black-and-white photograph with the post, looking older than his years.