The BBC is taking pressing measures to take away its former star information presenter Huw Edwards from many hours of archive footage, in keeping with UK press.
The Observer newspaper reports that the process has begun with the removing of any household and leisure content material together with the longtime BBC information journalist, following his conviction for accessing abusive photos of youngsters on his cellphone earlier this week.
Previous to his fall from grace, which started along with his suspension from the BBC in July 2023, he was one of many Company’s highest-profile presenters, given the duty of saying the demise of HM Queen Elizabeth in September 2022, and helming the protection of King Charles’s Coronation and a number of other Common Election dwell occasions.
The Observer quotes BBC historian Jean Seaton explaining the size of the problem of erasing Edwards from its distinctive archive:
“Edwards’s function was adjoining to protection with significance a lot bigger than him – information and nationwide occasions. That he was the acquainted face of such vital programmes is an issue. However these occasions are ours. I think the BBC can’t or gained’t delete the archive – it could make clearly badged alternate options.”
The newspaper quotes a BBC spokesperson saying: “We’re actively contemplating the supply of our archive,” a BBC spokesperson mentioned. “Whereas we don’t routinely delete content material from the BBC archive, as it’s a matter of historic file, we do think about the continued use and reuse of fabric.”
A 2006 episode of Physician Who that includes Edwards has already been taken down, together with an episode of Nice British Menu by which he appeared.
The BBC beforehand needed to conduct the identical means of erasure of veteran radio DJ and presenter Jimmy Savile, whose widespread youngster abuse was revealed following his demise in 2011. Savile was one of many BBC’s most profitable stars, fronting many editions of music present Prime of the Pops, in addition to his personal named present Jim’ll Repair It by which he helped convey true the goals of a whole lot of younger viewers who wrote in to the BBC.
Edwards was convicted of the fees towards him on Wednesday in a London court docket. Sentencing will happen in September.
