Huw Edwards: After teen victim opens up about the scandal, Vanessa Feltz calls for major change

TW: Mentions of disturbing details

While it was a long time coming, the confession sent shockwaves through the BBC and the nation. Huw Edwards pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children last month. This included obscene photos and videos from a boy as young as seven years old.

Edwards’ downfall started when a teen’s mother complained to BBC about his inappropriate behaviour. Months later he was arrested on suspicion of receiving indecent images of children via WhatsApp.

Venessa Feltz’ words after the Huw Edwards scandal

The admission became an influential force that prompted many public figures to open up about work ethic, and the true character of people you think you know. In line with this sentiment, BBC and This Morning star Vanessa Feltz claimed she too was ‘fooled’ by Huw Edwards.

In a first-person piece for The Express, Feltz strongly argued that ‘character witnesses’ should be eliminated from the judicial process as there is no guarantee of knowing anyone truly ever. Talking about the decades she spent working at BBC, Feltz said:

Huw Edwards was humble, charming and empathetic. I saw him frequently during my 20-plus years at the BBC and he was never less than delightful.

Feltz shared that appearing on BBC1 lunchtime news presented by Edwards was always a ‘reassuring pleasure,’ and added:

If you’d have asked me what kind of chap Huw Edwards was, then I’d have said: “Self-effacing, wry and thoroughly decent.” Wrong, wrong, wrong!

The broadcaster claimed she knew nothing real about Edwards except for what he ‘chose to project in public.’ She argued Edwards ‘fooled’ her and many others into believing he was a good man.

Teen at the centre of Huw Edwards scandal opens up

This comes after the then-teen (now 21 years old) at the centre of the Huw Edwards scandal opened up about how he felt ‘sick’ after learning about all the charges against him. He said:

I want to tell the truth about what happened… I’ve stayed silent for so long to protect Huw, but I feel sick at what has happened.

Speaking to Mirror about what really went down between the two, the teenager explained that he contacted Edwards when he was vulnerable and in need of money. Reportedly, the teenager had fallen out with his mother and step dad and was in dire need of money after living in a homeless shelter for a few nights.

He messaged Edwards for help and didn’t really ask for money, but the presenter deposited £500 into his PayPal account. He added:

Although it was a friendship at the beginning, it did change. He would say things like, ‘Are you going to do something for me then?’

I needed help, so I did. I feel like he sort of fed on my vulnerability… as he knew I needed the money. I felt like I was being groomed.

The young man confessed that he sent x-rated messages and videos to Edwards because he felt like he could trust him. However, it didn’t really work out for him as he said:

But that’s how the manipulation started. I looked up to this man but he didn’t really care about me. I felt like he was taking advantage of me but I felt I had to listen to him because he was Huw Edwards.

The young man eventually revealed that Edwards contacted him in October 2023 - weeks before he was arrested in November - from an unknown number. The 62-year-old persuaded him to talk on the phone and that was the last time they spoke. It was during this conversation that the youngster realised that ‘he had no remorse for anything at all.’

Read More

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Sources Used

The Express: The Huw Edwards case proves you cannot guarantee you truly know someone

Mirror: BBC's Huw Edwards scandal teen breaks silence in first interview - 'I felt groomed'