Martin Clunes as Huw Edwards

It just goes to show that sexual predators come from all walks of life, capable of carrying out evil deeds whilst appearing as a normal, trustworthy person.

Teachers, youth workers, shop keepers, clergymen, scout leaders, nursery workers, entertainers, fathers, brothers, granddads, uncles, and newsreaders ... the list goes on.

The sexual abuse, whether physical or through photographs or filming, is disgusting and affects the victims for life, it's totally despicable to normal people, it's a grubby world which normal people find abhorrent and the most heinous crime of all.

One thing that I took from the recent dramatisation of Huw Edwards is how he was able to present himself to the country, reading the news, and announcing the death of our dear Queen, when all along he was leading a double life, he was a sexual abuser, a paedophile, and a nasty piece of work, a bully.

How he got away with it is a mystery, people are jailed for non payment of fines, fraud, burglary, the sexual abuse of children is a far worse crime, it's unbelievable and frustrating that he is walking free.

The children he abused, directly or indirectly, deserve justice. Imagine if it was your child or grandchild that was abused, no wonder the family of "Ryan" went to the press, they didn't get much support from the police, the BBC turned a blind eye, and without a prison sentence the victims must feel very let down. At least we now know what a sick individual Huw Edwards is and I hope we never see him on our screens again.

Kate1949

Why were some of you shocked? You don't know him. You know the face he presents to the world.

Well, yes. Which is why people were shocked.

Kate1949

Why were some of you shocked? You don't know him. You know the face he presents to the world.

Yes, we did, but somehow he seemed steady, calm and trustworthy, a voice of calm reporting on the major stories of the day.

It just goes to show, not all look like Jimmy Savile.

Why were some of you shocked? You don't know him. You know the face he presents to the world.

BlueBelle

You might not see it as entertainment Doodledog as I don’t either, but many do, even down to commenting on the acting skills of the cast, but where I disagree with the last three people is when Allira says ‘ somehow his hideous crimes have been disminished’ but I think a play about it is doing just that disminishing his acts A documentary would be dealing solely with facts, a play,(a drama, call it what you will) takes in the acting ability, the scenery and the writers skill all outside the actual facts
Anyway I ve said what I feel so I ll leave you all to continue disagreeing with me
No hard feelings we all see things how we see things

where I disagree with the last three people is when Allira says ‘ somehow his hideous crimes have been disminished’ but I think a play about it is doing just that disminishing his acts

I will have to disagree again Bluebelle!

I believe the sentence given somehow made his crimes seem less as, I believe, the sentence he received was not even the minimum for possession of Category A indecent images of children. I may be wrong.
Further charges were not brought in regard to the young lad, Ryan, and his story needs to be told.

Somehow, Edwards crimes have been lessened for whatever reason and I wonder whether he even accepts the enormity of them himself.

We, however, should not forget what this 'worthy, steady voice of the nation', who appeared in our sitting rooms each night, has done especially if he thinks he can make some kind of come-back. It makes him sound delusional.
The other man involved, Alex Williams, also received a suspended sentence. I find it extraordinary.

Yes, I feel sorry for his poor wife and children too, they are also his victims.

I mean HUW

Grandmotherto8

Never ever thought Huw Edwards would be such a depraved man. Never.

I was shocked as I did like HE. He did a stellar job of the queen’s funeral. So
disappointed when this came out.
I don’t understand how Rolf Harris got put away & EE more or less got a slap on the wrist.

You might not see it as entertainment Doodledog as I don’t either, but many do, even down to commenting on the acting skills of the cast, but where I disagree with the last three people is when Allira says ‘ somehow his hideous crimes have been disminished’ but I think a play about it is doing just that disminishing his acts A documentary would be dealing solely with facts, a play,(a drama, call it what you will) takes in the acting ability, the scenery and the writers skill all outside the actual facts
Anyway I ve said what I feel so I ll leave you all to continue disagreeing with me
No hard feelings we all see things how we see things

I see your point, Bluebelle but I too disagree, and should just add to what Iam64 and Doodledog have said, that people forget all too easily and that, somehow, his heinous crimes seem to have been diminished for some reason, perhaps because of his fame and reputation as 'the voice of the nation'.

I also understand what you've saying, Bluebelle. I just disagree. I don't think a film such as this is entertainment. We all know what happened - there is no element of 'whodunnit' or anything similar. It is more of a drama documentary, really.

'Ryan', the victim, suffered trial by media - disbelieved, accused of being mercenary etc, and the trial found that this was not the case. He has a right to have his story told, whilst it is still in people's memories. Leaving it for years would only mean that he has to live with the reputational damage until it is too late for it to be meaningfully repaired.

I understand your point BlueBell, particularly the possibility it dilutes his disgusting, damaging crimes
We can disagree on this without rancour I hope

I ll just add as I don’t think some are really getting what I mean

I DO NOT think it’s too soon to have a documentary about this abuse. A factual programme giving all the information from all sides, would I think help any victims, however I do think it’s too soon to have a play written about it because if anything it brings it into the role of make believe, into entertainment, including comments even on here about the actors roles, and their performances.
This is dilution of this awful, crime.

Depression does not usually cloud someone's moral judgement.

I’m sure that’s right too.

He might well be depressed, he got caught out.
Probably a closet homosexual, with a lavender marriage.
A bit arrogant like JS, & thought he could get away it.
To be honest, he has to point, whilst victims are left to suffer.

Rosie, Allira and Lucky have expressed my feelings well.

I do understand why some feel the drama came soon after the events leading to the trial. My experience is that victims want this kind of programme, that draws attention to the way these dangerous men hide in plain sight. So often their victims and their families are blamed, or accused of only caring about financial compensation

There is no reason to think that the events depicted in the programme are untrue. They are based on the testimony of the groomed young man and his family, and also on text messages and evidence presented to the court. Channel 5 would not be able to get away with anything that was not factual - they know they would be sued.

So I am not inclined to doubt the facts as depicted.

I think such programmes serve a useful purpose in reminding people what is going on behind the scenes and of the worrying tendency for big organizations like the BBC to not believe the whistleblowers. I do not see it as "entertainment", but at the same time it is possible to admire the skill of the actors, producers and camera operatives. It is an excellent example of good quality programme making.

Annie - do you think that HE has been misrepresented? Do you feel that his depression (which is hopefully now under treatment) might be relevant in motivating HE to commit these crimes?

I am sure we all abhor his crimes; the difference of view seems to centre on whether suffering from depression might initiate his behaviours and thus explain them. From my knowledge of working with people with mental health problems I do not think so. Depression does not usually cloud someone's moral judgement. A paedophilic tendency is hard to explain but I do not see any evidence that it is linked with any known mental illness. I think it is generally accepted that paedophilia is not caused by mental illness but is a basic personality disorder of unknown cause. The evidence for cure is very small.

sixandahalf

Anniebach

Pointless trying to have any discussion on HE, Clune drama is taken as truth

Bu the truth, as decided by the law is that he was a sex offender surely?

He was charged with making indecent images of children and sentenced for possession of such Category A images.

The sentence could have been much longer for offences such as this.

All because he suffered from depression? 🤔

I think the producers would gave bbeen very careful to stick to known facts as Edwards might sue them.

I haven't watched the drama, so won't comment on that or its accuracy but it is proven that HE enjoyed the downloaded images of children being sexually abused. Every photo involved an innocent child being used and abused for the sexual gratification of perverted men. That photo is forever. Each child will live with the effect of that abuse for the rest of their life. Some will go on to drug addiction or even commit suicide because they have been so damaged. And HE thinks we should listen to how his mental health issues, for which I would have sympathy, somehow explain or excuse his total lack of concern about his victims while indulging his perversion for which I have none. How egocentric do you have to be to not think you should live the rest of your life quietly away from any publicity. Especially having been treated so lightly by the sentencing judge.

Anniebach

Pointless trying to have any discussion on HE, Clune drama is taken as truth

Bu the truth, as decided by the law is that he was a sex offender surely?

Pointless trying to have any discussion on HE, Clune drama is taken as truth

I m not at all bothered on the impact on him from the programme Iam I feel that it’s in poor taste to make an entertainment out of such a serious subject so close to it happening. In some years time maybe better.

A serious documentary now yes definitely, a drama however well written and acted (for me) should come later.

HE was in a position of power, authority. He had the financial resources to seek therapy to help him overcome his sexual attraction to children.
Some of the images he used were of the most serious kind. Every child involved will have been physically and psychologically harmed.

Why should he, of all paedophiles be given a public platform to excuse or explain himself.

As for the impact on him of the tv drama? What about the impact on those used and abused for his perverted satisfaction

Category A images are of children being raped. A short suspended sentence is very lenient for supporting this "industry." Paying for such images perpetuates the evil. The images would not be taken if no-one paid to view them. It is a sorry business.

Anniebach
Of course the judge was unduly lenient. Someone found guilty of receiving the most serious indecent images of children could be sentenced to five years in prison.

Yes and yes.