Huw Edwards has been inundated with offers to tell his side of the story following his conviction on child pornography charges, his former publicist has claimed.
Last week this newspaper revealed he hired veteran publicist Barry Tomes on a pro bono basis for seven days to help rebuild his career.
Tomes has now told the Daily Mail he has received offers ‘for photoshoots and interviews. I’ve had offers for all the news shows.
‘I’ve had six TV shows, three documentaries, and an offer from someone who has written a book about child pornography. I’ve had offers from podcasts in the UK and the US.’
Mr Tomes briefed Edwards on the offers on Wednesday before stepping away from being his publicist.
One-time star newsreader Edwards pleaded guilty to three charges of making indecent images in July 2024, for which he was given a suspended six-month prison sentence in September that year.
Among the pictures were seven category A images – the most serious classification – sent to him on WhatsApp by convicted sex offender Alex Williams.
Edwards’ comeback plans have been caused by his anger at Channel 5‘s drama about him starring Martin Clunes, which he feels is misleading.
Huw Edwards, pictured leaving Westminster Magistrates’ Court in 2024, has been inundated with offers to tell his side of the story, his former publicist has claimed
The former TV presenter says he will have ‘opportunities’ to tell his side of his story later this year after pleading guilty to making indecent images in July 2024 (pictured)
Publicist Barry Tomes pictured with Edwards. He advised Edwards on TV offers on Wednesday before stepping away from being his publicist
And this week he hinted he intends to speak out about the events that led to his conviction for making indecent images of children later this year.
Edwards hit out at the ‘one-sided’ programme in a new statement, hinting that ‘opportunities will arise later this year for me to state my case’.
The Daily Mail understands that he has fielded offers to produce a documentary, a podcast or TV series – though it is not known if he has taken these up.
Tomes says he stepped back from working with Edwards having ‘never charged a penny’, issuing a statement days after a toe-curling interview on Good Morning Britain in which he was challenged on representing a convicted sex offender.
Edwards said in his statement: ‘Much has been written and reported in the past week following Channel 5’s one-sided account.
‘Other opportunities will arise later this year for me to state my case, and to challenge the misleading or fabricated claims made in recent coverage.
‘A number of serious questions still remain to be answered, and not just by me.
‘It will now take some time for me to produce my own account, and until then I do not intend to comment any further.’
The statement was issued by Tomes, who confirmed in a communique to reporters that he would no longer represent the paedophile after giving him a week of free media representation.
Tomes said: ‘Following the media frenzy for the past ten days surrounding the Channel 5 factual drama Power, I agreed to act as the publicist on behalf of Huw Edwards for seven days only on a pro bono basis to give media advice.
‘This offer was made by me and not sought by Edwards.
‘Today, I met in person with Huw Edwards and delivered all the communications I received to him with a basic explanation.
‘Many included offers for interviews, documentaries and other forms of media activity.
‘This, despite me repeatedly stating that I am not seeking any media work for Edwards. I cannot add anything further.’
The publicist appeared on Good Morning Britain last week to discuss the Channel 5 drama, but the conversation quickly turned to why Tomes was representing Edwards at all.
Asking why he wanted to find the ‘black box’ explaining the newsreader’s actions, presenter Ed Balls asked why he had chosen to represent ‘a convicted paedophile, class A images, which he admitted in court’.
‘Quite simply, I would like to find out why these things happen generally, why do powerful men do these things,’ Tomes replied.
Ed retorted: ‘But you’re not investigating, you’re his publicist. You’re telling his story.’
It comes as the BBC continues to deal with the fallout after sacking Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills over allegations of serious sexual offences dating back to the 1990s.
Martin Clunes as Edwards in the Channel 5 drama Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards. Edwards himself has blasted the programme as ‘one-sided’
It comes as the BBC continues to deal with the fallout after sacking Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills, pictured in March, over allegations of serious sexual offences dating back to the 1990s
It has emerged that the BBC had known for years that Mills had been interviewed by the Met Police in 2018 over the allegations. The case was rejected by the Crown Prosecution Service over a lack of evidence.
But the broadcaster only took the step of dismissing Mills on Friday after learning that his accuser had been a child under the age of 16 at the time of the alleged offences.
Mills said yesterday that he ‘fully cooperated’ with the investigation, which was first launched in 2016.
He added: ‘Since the investigation related to an allegation that dates back nearly 30 years and the police investigation was closed seven years ago, I hope that the public and the media will understand and respect my wish not to make any further public comment on this matter.
‘I wish to thank from the bottom of my heart all those who have reached out to me with kindness, my former colleagues and my beloved listeners, who I greatly miss.’