It was billed as one of the most controversial comebacks in British television history. After months of silence following a bombshell scandal over his possession of indecent images of children — a case that saw him handed a six-month suspended prison sentence over two years and placed on the sex offenders’ register for seven years — veteran BBC presenter Huw Edwards finally stepped back in front of the cameras last night.

The BBC had previously wiped most of its archived programmes featuring Edwards and demanded he repay more than £200,000 earned during the investigation. Many believed his chances of regaining public trust were non-existent. And yet, against all odds, he was given the reins of a special broadcast.

The programme opened with the familiar BBC News theme, the camera slowly panning to Edwards seated at the desk. Viewers expected a tone of professionalism — perhaps even humility — after the controversy and the sentence. But his very first words, delivered with a knowing smirk, left audiences stunned.

Within seconds, social media erupted:

“I turned the TV off straight away — I couldn’t believe he said that,” one viewer posted on X (formerly Twitter).
“It felt tone-deaf after everything that happened,” another added.

Insiders revealed the production team had fiercely debated whether to allow Edwards to open the show at all, fearing a backlash. Unfortunately for the BBC, those fears were realised almost instantly.

While a small core of loyal fans defended him, insisting the outrage was “overblown,” media analysts warn the incident may have permanently sabotaged his rehabilitation. The BBC continues to stand by Edwards, claiming the line was meant to “lighten the mood,” but judging by the storm that followed, his road back to the top will be long, bumpy — and, for many viewers, not worth watching.