Huw Edwards, the disgraced former BBC newsreader, has established a presence on the newsletter platform Substack, pledging to speak with complete candour about mental health struggles and the impact of prolonged psychiatric illness.
The 64-year-old, who was convicted of making indecent images of children, set up his page on Wednesday, stating he intends to “offer thoughts on matters of national and local interest” whilst also addressing mental health topics.
Edwards indicated there are currently no intentions to charge subscribers for access to his content.
He wrote that he is “ready to be unflinchingly honest about the reality of long-term mental illness, and the continued failure to recognise its devastating effects on affected individuals, their families and friends”.
Huw Edwards has launched a Substack newsletter nearly two years after his conviction
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The former presenter, once among the BBC’s most recognisable and highly remunerated figures, entered a guilty plea in July 2024 and received a six-month prison term suspended for two years.
He was also placed on the sex offenders register for a seven-year period.
The case emerged after Edwards was identified as the broadcaster at the centre of allegations involving payments to a young person in exchange for sexually explicit material.
Police investigations revealed he had provided the victim with gifts and money, with their communications containing 41 indecent images of children, some as young as seven.
The former BBC presenter said he wants to speak “unflinchingly” about long-term mental illness
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The images comprised seven Category A, the most serious classification, alongside 12 Category B and 22 Category C.
His first substantive post appeared on Thursday, focusing on the prospect of Andy Burnham ascending to the role of Prime Minister in the wake of Keir Starmer stepping down on Monday.
Edwards titled the piece “King’ Andy” with the subtitle “Early morning thoughts from West Wales on events in distant Westminster.”
The post was accompanied by a scenic photograph taken at Llantseffan beach, located close to his residence in West Wales.
The disgraced former newsreader made no reference to his convictions or victim in his introductory posts
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This return to political commentary arrives approximately two months before his suspended prison sentence concludes, marking what appears to be the initial stages of a potential comeback following his conviction.
Edwards explained his rationale for launching the newsletter, noting that three years have passed since his final broadcast appearance.
He stated his aim is “to make a positive contribution not just in current affairs and cultural analysis” but also in discussing “overcoming trauma, and attempting to rebuild some kind of worthwhile life”.
The former journalist indicated he would cover politics, media, journalism and culture, whilst also examining the criminal justice system, including the courts, police, Crown Prosecution Service and Probation Service.
However, his introductory posts made no reference to his convictions or to his victim, despite extensively discussing his own mental health challenges.
Before this latest move, Edwards sparked widespread backlash in December 2025 after updating his Facebook profile with a professionally shot black-and-white portrait, prompting speculation he was attempting to stage a public comeback.
The former BBC star said there are currently no plans to charge readers to access his Substack posts
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The image was condemned by victims’ families, politicians, children’s charities and PR experts, with critics branding the move “shameless” and “tone-deaf”.
One of his victims questioned whether he had “no shame”, while the stepfather of the teenager involved in the original scandal said Edwards should “disappear”.
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick also criticised the former presenter, saying that if he had any remorse, he “would never show his face in public life again”.
