Martin Clunes as Huw Edwards

Nannylovesshopping

Cba to watch a sordid programme like that, I watched two more episodes of Schitt’s Creek, much more entertaining!!

Only 2 😂 Would you believe we have watched the whole series 4 times. Absolutely love it.
If this is the first time you’ve watched the series wait until you see David singing Simply The Best 🥰

Doodledog

But it didn't even touch on the causes of paedophilia. Or the police investigation (including what they knew before), or the way social media was accusing all and sundry, or the comments from the public about how the boy was most probably lying, or the BBC and its role in suppressing the identity of HE.

There were a few references tho HE having humble beginnings, but nothing to link his background to his proclivities, and the only mention of his mental health was after 'Ryan' threatened to expose him. If anything, Ryan came across as more mentally fragile than Edwards.

I got the impression that the makers didn't have much information, but wanted to go ahead with the production because they had Ryan's co-operation.

Right. I'd better watch it I suppose before I comment.

I watched it up until the first advert break, then turned it off. Didn't like what I was seeing and knew it would get worse.

Add comment | Report | Private message | Quote Iam64 Wed 25-Mar-26 09:18:05
I haven’t watched this but will do so.
I recall discussions here when the allegations were publicised. As usual, there was reluctance to believe a man like Edwards could be a sex offender. Some suggested as the young man hadn’t gone to the police perhaps his mother and step father were seeking compensation.

It’s hard to accept someone like Edwards, a significant presenter of key national events could be enjoying looking at images of the sexual abuse of small children. When the much liked head teacher at our village primary school was investigated, 85% of parents refused to believe it possible

I certainly wasn’t reluctant to accept if I thought it was truth, I didn’t accept the parents chose to speak to the Sun before the police for their son, on the thread you are speaking of ! , a poster was sure Huw Edwards was guilty because he had changed his hir cut.

Some may be reluctant to believe and some who so want it to be true they will leap on all accusations as truth

Martin Clunes was superb, we thought of Hugh Grant playing Jeremy Thorpe and thought both actors must have enjoyed the challenge such a role brings

But it didn't even touch on the causes of paedophilia. Or the police investigation (including what they knew before), or the way social media was accusing all and sundry, or the comments from the public about how the boy was most probably lying, or the BBC and its role in suppressing the identity of HE.

There were a few references tho HE having humble beginnings, but nothing to link his background to his proclivities, and the only mention of his mental health was after 'Ryan' threatened to expose him. If anything, Ryan came across as more mentally fragile than Edwards.

I got the impression that the makers didn't have much information, but wanted to go ahead with the production because they had Ryan's co-operation.

Luckygirl3

*More education than entertainment really.* - on one level I agree with this, in the same way as the drama about the Post Office scandal was educative. This was generally applauded as it exposed the bad behaviour of an organization rather than an individual, although one individual came in for a great deal of criticism.

I have not seen the drama. However having read Grans' criticisms I agree with Luckygirl, in the general way that a drama can be both an entertainment and a documentary style discussion.

The fact that the medium is serious drama ,well researched, need not deflect from its purpose to get people thinking about causes of criminal paedophilia.

It sounds as though the parents went to the BBC and got short shrift which is why the stepfather wanted to go to the media.

It is not clear why they did not turn to the police, but the history of accusations against celebrities not being taken seriously is a concern that might have been in their minds.

If this drama does nothing else it serves to remind the authorities to keep an open mind when it comes to investigating high profile individuals.

And .? We all know complaints to Police about other famous men went nowhere. Also that news media were well aware of the allegations.

It now appears police had been aware of concerns about Edwards since 2019. Who knows what motivated the boys mother and stepfather. There’s no way I’d have done that but I don’t know enough to criticise them. Investigations like this one are extremely complex

That Huw Edwards suffered with depression has absolutely nothing to do with him being a sexual predator, it can't possibly be used as an excuse, more likely depressed because of the guilt and turmoil he felt as a result of his disgusting behaviour.

What a vile man he turned out to be. He came across as a respectable man on our screens reading the news, proof that such hateful individuals come in all sorts of guises.

I hope he disappears into obscurity and we never hear about him again.

Channel 5 received much info on the Huw Edwards drama from the mother and stepfather of the 23 year old Ryan, and the Sun Newspaper , and journalists

The parents went to the Sun before the police with their accusations

I haven’t watched this but will do so.
I recall discussions here when the allegations were publicised. As usual, there was reluctance to believe a man like Edwards could be a sex offender. Some suggested as the young man hadn’t gone to the police perhaps his mother and step father were seeking compensation.

It’s hard to accept someone like Edwards, a significant presenter of key national events could be enjoying looking at images of the sexual abuse of small children. When the much liked head teacher at our village primary school was investigated, 85% of parents refused to believe it possible

What I took from this was the superb acting by Clunes and especially his maintaining throughout what sounded like Hugh Edwards’ voice. It must have been quite hard to keep this going.
On the other hand I did wonder why this docudrama was made at all, given the impact it must have made/is making on his family.

Sarnia

PamelaJ1

I can’t comment on the programme because I didn’t bring myself to watch it.
Whatever Edward’s did and I’m certain it was despicable I don’t think that his family need to be exposed to more horror.
They are innocent and don’t deserve this further punishment.
How can he be thinking of making a comeback, where has that come from.

It has been well documented that Barry Tomes, a publicist and media guru, is masterminding Huw Edwards comeback and focusing strongly on his mental health as being a major contributary factor in his actions.
Clearly this drama has divided GN's but if this puts a block on Edwards returning to public life then good. The man is a narcissist who likely sees himself as the victim in all this and not the boys he groomed or the young children being abused for his sexual gratification.

In an interview Barry Tomes has said that there is no question of Edwards staging a comeback. But Tomes is defending Edwards on the grounds of his mental ill health.

I have a certain sympathy with that on one level. Reports that Edwards suffered with depression have been around for a long time. But that does not excuse his behaviour - although Edwards has expressed contrition for what he did which is presumably why he got a light sentence.

Is it right to bring this all up once more in the form of a drama? It does serve to remind us and the law enforcers not to be blinded by celebrity and media image, which has happened far too often and too many innocent victims have suffered.

Edwards knew that what he was doing was wrong, indeed abhorrent. Depression (unfortunate though it is) does not wipe out that awareness.

Edwards has plenty enough money to settle back into retirement and hopefully this is what he is doing.

I have an acquaintance who did similar in terms of downloading images and he said it was "an itch that had to be scratched." We were all of course very shocked, and he lost his job and so much more. He has gone on to support charities involved with child sexual abuse and to talk to offenders in an attempt to redress his wrongdoing. I still feel uncomfortable around him, but at least he is trying.

Luckygirl3

*More education than entertainment really.* - on one level I agree with this, in the same way as the drama about the Post Office scandal was educative. This was generally applauded as it exposed the bad behaviour of an organization rather than an individual, although one individual came in for a great deal of criticism.

Yes, that’s how I see it, but it would have been better if we’d seen more about what the BBC knew and how they dealt with it all. The story was not confined to the abuse - it was about how the media handle stories about famous people, and there was little of that in the drama.

Much as I like Martin Clunes as an actor I couldn’t watch last night. As a victim of abuse I find such things triggering to say the least.

I have recorded it to watch at the weekend but agree Martin Clunes is a superb actor, he can be serious or funny. He will always be the marvellous Gary Strang to me from the absolutely superb Men Behaving Badly. If you ever get chance to watch the Road Trip he did a couple of years ago with his partner in crime Neil Morrisey aka Tony please do. It is a riot of fun and friendship spanning decades. My sons loved Kipper the dog and Bob the Builder when they were little and I always chuckle because it was these 2 men who voiced the characters.

PamelaJ1

I can’t comment on the programme because I didn’t bring myself to watch it.
Whatever Edward’s did and I’m certain it was despicable I don’t think that his family need to be exposed to more horror.
They are innocent and don’t deserve this further punishment.
How can he be thinking of making a comeback, where has that come from.

It has been well documented that Barry Tomes, a publicist and media guru, is masterminding Huw Edwards comeback and focusing strongly on his mental health as being a major contributary factor in his actions.
Clearly this drama has divided GN's but if this puts a block on Edwards returning to public life then good. The man is a narcissist who likely sees himself as the victim in all this and not the boys he groomed or the young children being abused for his sexual gratification.

More education than entertainment really. - on one level I agree with this, in the same way as the drama about the Post Office scandal was educative. This was generally applauded as it exposed the bad behaviour of an organization rather than an individual, although one individual came in for a great deal of criticism.

Cba to watch a sordid programme like that, I watched two more episodes of Schitt’s Creek, much more entertaining!!

I wouldn’t stop a programme being made because of distress to the family of a perpetrator. I have sympathy for them - it must be awful to be in their position- but I don’t think they deserve special treatment. The Edwards family didn’t feature, other than as ‘voices off’ (his wife calling him for supper etc) and there was absolutely no suggestion that they were involved in any way. If anyone deserves special treatment it is the victims and their families who need more consideration.

I watched it, and felt it was slow, and far too long, although Clunes was very good, as usual.

I would have liked to see the balance shifted so we saw more of the way the story broke, and how ‘Ryan’ was treated in the media - that was brushed over, as was the impact on people who were suspected of being guilty but weren’t. There was a very long exposition, which I realise helped to explain why ‘Ryan’ got involved in it all, but I felt that could have been condensed and still made the point.

I don’t think it was entertainment so much as a dramatisation of a current (or recent) event. More education than entertainment really.

I can’t comment on the programme because I didn’t bring myself to watch it.
Whatever Edward’s did and I’m certain it was despicable I don’t think that his family need to be exposed to more horror.
They are innocent and don’t deserve this further punishment.
How can he be thinking of making a comeback, where has that come from.

I didn’t watch I’m very uneasy about these type of program being made for entertainment and how on earth this affects those who were dragged into his world.

and here is your answer, as I googled it

"Yes, the families affected in the Channel 5 factual drama Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards—which stars Martin Clunes—were consulted during its production, according to the broadcaster.

According to Channel 5, the two-part drama was created with input from key individuals involved in the case. Key aspects of the production include:

Family Input: The series was based on interviews with the victim, their family, and journalists, with details on the online pursuit provided to writer Mark Burt by the victim's family.

Victim Consent: Executive producer Samantha Anstiss confirmed the victim, referred to as "Ryan," was interviewed extensively and supported the project, feeling it was the right time to tell their story.

Conflict with Edwards: While Huw Edwards criticized the production for not checking facts with him, Channel 5 maintained the drama was produced in line with Ofcom's code and that allegations were put to him via solicitors prior to broadcast.
BBC"

It is quite possible the families were consulted - they may have chosen it was preferable to "out him" in order that it is not forgotten and make it hard for him to create a new career.