The BBC is contemplating significant changes to its archival footage of major royal events, potentially removing disgraced presenter Huw Edwards’s commentary from historic broadcasts.
This move comes in response to Edwards’s recent admission of possessing indecent images of children, which has led the broadcaster to reevaluate his role in their content.
Edwards, who was a prominent figure in BBC’s coverage of state occasions such as Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral and King Charles III’s coronation, is now at the center of a review that could result in his commentary being replaced.
Sources suggest that the BBC may re-record expert commentary for these pivotal events to avoid using Edwards’s voice, ensuring that future broadcasts are free from his involvement.
The BBC iPlayer currently hosts the anchor’s announcement of Queen Elizabeth’s death in 2022, as well as other significant footage featuring Edwards.
This content is under review, with insiders indicating that Edwards’s contributions may be excluded from future programming.
Documentaries and segments featuring Edwards are expected to remain banned from both iPlayer and terrestrial repeats.
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Program makers seeking to use footage of notable royal events might face the challenge of relying on altered recordings or potentially avoiding the use of original material with Edwards’s commentary.
Despite this, there could be exceptions for archival content deemed essential for historical accuracy. In such cases, the original Edwards material might still be preserved to accurately reflect how these events were reported at the time.
This initiative is part of the BBC’s broader effort to distance itself from Edwards following his admission on July 31 of possessing 41 indecent images of children.
The removal process has already impacted various content, including an episode of Doctor Who in which Edwards appeared.
The BBC’s actions underscore its commitment to addressing the scandal and maintaining the integrity of its programming.
