BBC iPLAYER REMOVES FEAR HER FEATURING HUW EDWARDS
The BBC have removed an episode of Doctor Who from iPlayer which featured former BBC newsreader Huw Edwards, who was charged and pleaded guilty to the “making indecent images of children” this week.
Edwards featured as himself in Series 2 episode Fear Her, broadcast in 2006 as part of David Tennant’s debut series as the Tenth Doctor alongside Billie Piper as companion Rose Tyler.
In the episode, the TARDIS lands in 2012 with the Doctor planning to show Rose the London Olympics. On a nearby housing estate, a desperate mother is hiding her daughter’s unearthly powers.
A BBC spokesperson said earlier this week regarding Huw Edwards: “The BBC is shocked to hear the details which have emerged in court today. There can be no place for such abhorrent behaviour and our thoughts are with all those affected.
“The police have confirmed that the charges are not connected to the original complaint raised with the BBC in the summer of 2023, nevertheless in the interests of transparency we think it important to set out some points about events of the last year.
“In November 2023, whilst Mr Edwards was suspended, the BBC as his employer at the time was made aware in confidence that he had been arrested on suspicion of serious offences and released on bail whilst the police continued their investigation. At the time, no charges had been brought against Mr Edwards and the BBC had also been made aware of significant risk to his health.
“Today we have learnt of the conclusion of the police process in the details as presented to the court. If at any point during the period Mr Edwards was employed by the BBC he had been charged, the BBC had determined it would act immediately to dismiss him. In the end, at the point of charge he was no longer an employee of the BBC.
“During this period, in the usual way, the BBC has kept its corporate management of these issues separate from its independent editorial functions. We want to reiterate our shock at Mr Edwards’ actions and our thoughts remain with all those affected.”
A BBC spokesperson has stated: “An episode of Doctor Who has been temporarily removed from BBC iPlayer to be re-dubbed.”