Disgraced broadcaster Huw Edwards has kept himself far away from the limelight after he was convicted of sexual offences, but is now joining Substack with a new mailing list
Disgraced TV presenter Huw Edwards has launched a weekly online advice column where he’ll talk about mental health and “matters of national interest”. The former BBC newsreader has vowed he will be “unflinchingly honest” and has promised to open up on the “devastating effects” of coping with mental illness.
The 64-year-old has kept his public appearances rare since he was convicted for making indecent images of children. Once one of the BBC’s most trusted and highest-paid stars, Huw pleaded guilty in July 2024 and was handed a six-month jail term, suspended for two years, and placed on the sex offenders register for seven years.
Now, the former journalist has joined a website called Substack. There, he has insisted he will use his platform to speak about mental health − as well as “matters of national interest”.
On the website advertising his mailing list, he insisted that there will be “no plans for paid subscriptions” in what is due to be his first tentative steps back into the public eye. He appealed for kindness, saying his main focus will be to discuss journalism.
He added: “I am also ready to be unflinchingly honest about the reality of long-term mental illness.” Huw’s Substack was made public on Wednesday (June 24) as he tries to salvage his career.
His first post came earlier today (June 25), when he spoke about the possibility of Andy Burnham becoming Prime Minister. He also shared a snap of Llantseffan beach, close to his home in the west of Wales.
In the post, he claimed that despite his huge fall from grace, he is still interested in what happens in the world nowadays. “After four decades years in broadcast journalism — with a focus on Welsh, British and French politics — I am still a keen observer of events,” he penned.
“There will be some who do not wish to read my work, and I respect that choice. But for those who might be interested, I would like to start tentatively by offering some commentary and analysis based on my long experience.”
Later on in the post, he asked a rhetorical question − why is he returning to the public eye through a mailing list. He replied, saying it has been three years since his last TV broadcast and he feels the time is right to make a change.
“One of the ways in which I can try to make a positive contribution − not just in current affairs and cultural analysis,” he wrote. “But also in the areas of mental health, overcoming trauma, and attempting to rebuild some kind of worthwhile life − is to share those thoughts with those who wish to hear them.”
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By staronline@reachplc.com (Rory Gannon)
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