Huw Edwards Channel 5 drama probed by Ofcom after former BBC star filed complaint

But now the 88-minute long drama is being investigated by the media regulator under its “fairness and privacy” rules.

Edwards, who pleaded guilty of three counts of making indecent images of children in 2024, previously complained the programme had not made any attempt to contact to him.

The 65-year-old confirmed in a statement to The Guardian it had been him who made the complaint.

The former News at Ten host said the Channel 5 drama was “hardly likely to convey the reality of what happened”, but Skydance-owned corporation has defended the programme.

It said the drama – produced by Wonderhood Studios and Krempelwood Entertainment – was based on “extensive interviews with the victim, his family, the journalists who revealed his story, text exchanges between the victim and Edwards, and court reporting”.

In a statement, Edwards said: “I am relieved that Ofcom has seen fit to investigate the ‘factual drama’ made by Channel 5 and Wonderhood Studios.

“The drama gave viewers a wholly misleading and unfair version of events.

“I was not given a fair opportunity to respond to the many inaccuracies and fabrications in the programme.

“I can say no more at this stage. I hope Ofcom is allowed to consider my complaint objectively, free from intimidation from hostile parts of the press.”

A Channel 5 spokesman said: “We stand by the programme and will be robustly defending this complaint.”

Ofcom will probe material provided by Edwards and Channel 5 before reaching a ruling.

The media watchdog has not detailed the ground for investigation.

But under broadcasting rules, it can investigate “unjust or unfair treatment of individuals or organisations in programmes” or “ranted infringement of privacy in programmes”.

An Ofcom spokesman said: “We are investigating a fairness and privacy complaint about this programme.”

Edwards has worked towards a return to public life in 2026.

In May, he was said to have held talks with Channel 4 over a programme to share “his side of the story”.

The mother of the teenager who said he was groomed by the former BBC newsreader condemned the proposed documentary as “disgusting”.

And he established a presence on subscription newsletter service Substack in June, saying he was “ready to be unflinchingly honest about the reality of long-term mental illness”.