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13th July 2023
06:55am BST
Media figures have been among those sending support to Huw Edwards after he was named as the BBC presenter accused of paying for explicit images.
The former newsreader is receiving in-patient care in hospital “where he will remain for the foreseeable future”, his wife said on Wednesday, as she made the announcement.
As the Met Police determined the then-unnamed presenter had no criminal case to answer over the allegations, Huw’s wife, Vicky Flind, released a statement on his behalf.
Vicky said it had been “five extremely difficult days for our family” since The Sun newspaper reported on Saturday that a high-profile BBC presenter had paid a teenager £35,000 for explicit images.
The BBC suspended the presenter on Sunday, some seven weeks after the youngster’s family approached the broadcaster on May 17, and has been under significant scrutiny ever since.
Vicky said she issued a statement, “primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children.”
Her statement continued: “Huw is suffering from serious mental health issues. As is well documented, he has been treated for severe depression in recent years.
“The events of the last few days have greatly worsened matters, he has suffered another serious episode and is now receiving in-patient hospital care where he’ll stay for the foreseeable future."
Journalists and high profile media figures are among those who have sent support to Edwards.
Former Downing Street press secretary Alastair Campbell recounted how he and the BBC star had spoken often about depression.
Jon Sopel also sent his best wishes to Edwards, tweeting: “This is an awful and shocking episode, where there was no criminality, but perhaps a complicated private life.
“That doesn’t feel very private now. I hope that will give some cause to reflect. They really need to. I wish @thehuwedwards well.”
BBC World presenter John Simpson has said he feels “so sorry for everyone involved” in the matter including Edwards.
“I feel so sorry for everyone involved in this: for the Edwards family, for the complainants, and for Huw himself”, he wrote on Twitter.
“No criminal offences were committed, so it’s a purely personal tragedy for everyone involved. Let’s hope the press leave them all alone now.”
Former BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker added on Twitter: “This is an awful situation and will come as a big shock to many.
“Huw Edwards is clearly not in a good place at the moment and this must be terrible for his family.
“I just hope that whoever needs help – on all sides of this – gets the time, space and support they need to heal.”
But not everyone came out to bat for Edwards.
Daily Mail columnist Amanda Platell said he was "using the mental health card" to get off the hook, while Andrew Tate followers had a thing or two to say too.
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