Former BBC News presenter Huw Edwards has sparked comeback speculation after posting a new photo on social media, with PR experts warning his potential TV return is ‘tone-deaf’ following his conviction for making indecent images of children
It comes as no shock that Huw Edwards has maintained an extremely low profile since being handed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after admitting to charges of creating indecent images of children. Most expected the disgraced figure to stay out of the public eye for years to come.
Yet the former BBC news presenter has unexpectedly fuelled speculation about a potential television comeback. The 64 year old turned heads when he shared a fresh, moody black and white portrait on his Facebook page. The photograph depicts Edwards in a checked blazer and shirt, displaying grey stubble and wearing a subtle smile – and people gave a mixed reaction to the image.
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Oddly, it prompted several supportive messages from followers, with one writing: “I hope you are keeping well Huw. Remember, you have so much talent to share.” Another supporter told him in Welsh: “Hurry back Huw, you are a big loss, all the best in the future.”
Edwards was sentenced in September 2024 after pleading guilty to three counts of creating indecent images of children. The court was told that during various WhatsApp conversations with a man subsequently convicted of sexual offences, he was offered “naughty” photographs of someone described as “yng (sic)”. Edwards responded with “go on”.
The former newsreader confessed to possessing 41 images, received via WhatsApp, some of which depicted a victim aged between seven and nine. The images were sent by Alex Williams, a 25 year old convicted sex offender. In another conversation with Williams, Edwards responded “yes” followed by three ‘X’s when asked if he wanted sexual images of an individual who appeared to be “age could be discerned as being between 14 and 16”.
He resigned from the BBC on ‘medical advice’, but now PR expert Mayah Riaz believes that he many very well be gearing up to stage a comeback. But it comes with a dire warning.
“When it comes to Huw Edwards potentially returning to TV, the public mood will be everything. Right now, this feels less like a comeback story and more like a reputational minefield. Audiences do have short memories, but they do not have no memory. Trust, once damaged at that level, is incredibly hard to rebuild,” she told The Mirror.
“If Huw is genuinely considering a return, it would need to be carefully handled, slower paced and rooted in accountability, not reinvention. A slick photoshoot or brooding portrait does not equal redemption.
“In fact, it can backfire and look tone deaf if the public feels someone is trying to bypass the hard work of rebuilding trust. Right now, the optics of this scream strategy, not sincerity, and viewers are very sharp when it comes to spotting spin.”
Mayah further warned that audiences ‘will not be fooled by a moody headshot and a soft launch, explaining: “The difference between a comeback and a career misstep is timing and humility. Right now, it feels too soon and too visible. You cannot rebrand your way out of a reputational crisis. If he returns, it would likely need to be away from mainstream broadcasting at first, something lower profile and more reflective. You do not glide back onto prime time like nothing happened, the public will not buy that.
Source: Mirror
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