Channel 5 viewers were left gripped to their screens as Martin Clunes took on a serious role and transformed into Huw Edwards for Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards. The two-part series recounted the double life that the longtime BBC presenter led and his fall from grace after he pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children in 2024. While Huw has since expressed his "regret and remorse" for his crimes and received a six-month suspended sentence, many viewers shared their views on social media.

Alongside disgusted viewers, the legendary newsreader Jane Leeming also had her say, sharing her thoughts on X/Twitter. The 84-year-old famously hosted the BBC1 afternoon show Pebble Mill at One between 1976 and 1979, co-presented Radio 4's Woman's Hour and was renowned for fronting the 1982 Eurovision Song Contest. In her post on Tuesday (March 24), Jan admitted: "No idea how I feel about documentary on downfall of Huw Edwards. (sic)

Sharing her true feelings, Jan continued: "Was not a newsreader I liked - knew nothing about his proclivities.

"Feel extremely sorry, not for him, but for his wife and five children. They must have suffered shock at his downfall and now, more hurt for them."

In 2024, Huw was charged with three counts of making indecent images of children, the legal definition of which includes downloading or receiving those images. He was sent 377 images in total, 41 of which were indecent images of children. He was given a 12-month suspended sentence after pleading guilty to all charges.

Huw's downfall began in July 2023 after The Sun reported a "top BBC star" had paid a teenager for sexual pictures, and days later, his wife publicly named him as the presenter at the centre of the allegations.

After the disgraced presenter was convicted, his wife, Vicky Flind, filed for divorce. Another major blow for Huw as the pair first tied the knot in 1993, welcoming five children together, Amos, Dan, Rebecca, Sammy and Hannah.

When reports first emerged about his conduct, Vicky initially released a lengthy statement while he remained unidentified. It read: "In light of the recent reporting regarding the 'BBC Presenter' I am making this statement on behalf of my husband Huw Edwards, after what have been five extremely difficult days for our family.

"I am doing this primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children. Huw is suffering from serious mental health issues. As is well documented, he has been treated for severe depression in recent years.

At the time, she added: "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."