BBC News’ on air gaffe amid host Huw Edwards’ nude pictures scandal

The broadcaster was forced to issue an awkward retraction on live TV after one of its biggest stars was identified at the centre of the nude picture scandal.

The BBC has mistakenly announced the resignation of one of its most high-profile hosts – who is currently embroiled in a nude picture scandal – before having to retract it live on air.

The British broadcaster’s embarrassing gaffe happened during the News at Six program, which is hosted by Sophie Raworth.

The journalist opened the show by announcing that after days of frenzied speculation, Huw Edwards had been identified as the presenter at the centre of the scandal, which involves allegations that the 61-year-old paid £35,000 ($67,000) to a teenager in exchange for explicit pictures.

“At six, Huw Edwards is the presenter accused of paying a teenager for explicit photos,” Raworth told the audience.

“In the last few minutes, he has announced his resignation.”

Raworth told viewers Edwards had resigned from the BBC. Picture: BBC

The bulletin came after Edwards’ wife, Vicky Flind, released a statement on his behalf which confirmed he was the male presenter at the centre of the accusations.

Ms Flind added that her husband was “suffering from serious mental health issues” and was now in hospital, but that he “intends to respond to the stories” about him once he is “well enough to do so”.

Edwards is one of the UK’s biggest TV stars. Picture: BBC

The statement made no mention of his future at the BBC, and a short time after making the resignation announcement on live TV, Raworth was forced to correct herself.

“I must just correct something as well because this is all breaking in the last few minutes but he is not resigning. He has been named by his wife, he has not resigned,” she admitted.

Edwards – pictured here with wife Vicky Flind – has been hospitalised. Picture: Noble/Draper/Media Mode

Unsurprisingly, the on air gaffe baffled plenty of the broadcaster’s viewers.

“Absolutely incredible that the BBC managed to f**k the top of the 6 O’Clock News with a claim that Huw Edwards had resigned,” one tweeted.

“Anchor now saying, ‘We’re getting a new line that Huw Edwards had not resigned …’ It was only the BBC reporting a resignation of … one of its own staff.”

“BBC News reported that its own anchor Huw Edwards has resigned from the station after being named as the presenter at the centre of allegations … and then reported that its own reporting was incorrect, and he has not resigned,” another pointed out.

The scandal has rocked the BBC in recent days, as Edwards is one of its highest-paid stars, taking home around $842,000 a year. He’s been the face of the broadcaster’s coverage of major stories of the last decade, including the death and funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

He’s led the BBC’s coverage of major news events over the past decade. Picture: BBC

Edwards lives in London with five children and his wife, who spoke out on his behalf on Wednesday, UK time.

“Huw is suffering from serious mental health issues. As is well documented, he has been treated for severe depression in recent years,” Ms Flind stated.

“The events of the last few days have greatly worsened matters, he has suffered another serious episode and is now receiving inpatient hospital care where he’ll stay for the foreseeable future.

“Once well enough to do so, he intends to respond to the stories that have been published.

Ms Flind asked for privacy for both the couple’s family and “for everyone else caught up in these upsetting events”.

“I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation. We hope this statement will bring that to an end.”

Huw Edwards’s wife Vicky Flind has named him as the BBC presenter facing allegations over payments for sexually explicit images. Picture: Dinendra Haria/LNP/Shutterstock

‘No offence committed’

The identity of the anchor had been at the centre of furious speculation since allegations were published last week that a BBC presenter had sought to buy sexual pictures of a 17-year-old.

In the UK, the age of consent is 16, although in England and Wales the distribution of sexual images of someone under the age of 18 is illegal.

The now-20-year-old at the centre of the accusations – which were made by their parents – described them as “rubbish” earlier this week.

Meanwhile, London’s Metropolitan Police stated on Wednesday that no offence had been committed in relation to the claims.

“Detectives … have now concluded their assessment and have determined there is no information to indicate that a criminal offence has been committed,” The Met said.

It said it was aware other allegations had been made but no specific information had been passed to police.

“Should evidence of criminality or safeguarding issues be identified at any point we would expect matters to be referred to the relevant police force.”