[House]

Whilst it's looking increasingly unlikely that Huw Edwards will not return to presenting on the BBC in the near future, I find talk of his permanent departure premature.

I agree with that, and certainly my suggestions were not premised on Edwards having permanently left, but rather the reality that he is currently off air and there is no indication he is to return to any of his roles at the BBC anytime soon and he will need to be replaced (even if only in the short or medium term).

I do think one of the things working against Edwards now, though, is that part of his success in his roles has been because he was a comforting but uncontroversial figure. Broadcasters involved in interviewing politicians regularly, for example, tend to develop quite polarising opinions amongst viewers/listeners. Others can be perceived as either too serious, or ‘not serious enough’ because they cover entertainment or non-news programming too. Edwards always managed to somehow tread a middle ground of avoiding controversy or strong opinions about him, while being very well known and respected. Sort of the ideal example of a safe pair of hands.

I think whatever happens - and however fair or unfair that might be - the BBC’s own coverage of his situation has irreparably changed that ‘neutral’ image he had. That’s not to say he couldn’t come back from that, but if that matters to the BBC then people like Kirsty Young might seem a more attractive choice going forwards.