[Nobby]

The story has moved on now, but I’m not sure Jeremy Vine has come out of this well, making it all about him

I was thinking the same. How can he be allowed to continue working for the BBC in a News adjacent role while also working for the tabloid media trying to destroy the BBC? He should be forced to pick a side.

[PJamo]

It's a shame Emily Maitlis has left the BBC as I think she would do an excellent job leading Election Night.

Of those currently with the BBC - Christian Fraser is a person I could imagine fitting the role well; the same for Jane Hill and Mishal Hussain.

[DTV]

I’m sorry - why on earth are people speculating as to who his ‘successor’ might be?

You think he’s going to be sacked because he’s been buying some porn in his private life? Or because he met someone during Covid from a dating app?

Unless there is a lot we don’t know about, there is no basis for him to be sacked.

Sorry, but I think it is naive to think he can really continue - at least as the senior presenter. Sure, it's a shame to lose such a good presenter and, if The Sun's story is found to be largely nonsense (as seems likely), unfair on him. But unless there is a full exoneration, I suspect it'll be difficult to come back from. They might not sack him outright, but I don't see how you can continue to be a lead news presenter if a sizeable chunk of viewers associate you with being a bit dodgy. Trust is everything in news, and he's lost it - perhaps unfairly - with a clear portion of the audience. The Sun might be responsible for this and it might be questionable, but public opinion isn't typically decided based on rationalism, rather instinct, and that is what will decide his future.

I also don't see why it is weird to discuss on a presentation forum who might take over as effectively the nation's most senior news presenter. That seems more appropriate a discussion for here than talking about the story itself.

[Robinho02]

It's a shame Emily Maitlis has left the BBC as I think she would do an excellent job leading Election Night.

Of those currently with the BBC - Christian Fraser is a person I could imagine fitting the role well; the same for Jane Hill and Mishal Hussain.

Stop it - he has not left the BBC. He is in hospital very ill.

[Adsales]

Unfortunately the amount of people I have seen on social media calling him a dirty old perv probably does mean his actions have had the potential to bring the BBC into disrepute, even if they have been legal.

You do wonder if it is possible to put him on a World exclusive slot when it calms down if he does want to continue on and the rest of his colleagues are happy with that.

The opinion of some about something that is perfectly legal can’t bring an employer into disrepute. An employer obviously also has a duty of care and it isn’t a stretch to imagine that they may have failed here. In particular where his struggles with depression have been known for years.

As per my previous post, this is solely based on what is already known. If he has done other things or if he did similar stuff with colleagues then it’s a different matter.

[qwerty123]

It's a shame Emily Maitlis has left the BBC as I think she would do an excellent job leading Election Night.

Of those currently with the BBC - Christian Fraser is a person I could imagine fitting the role well; the same for Jane Hill and Mishal Hussain.

Christian would fit the role well but doesn’t have the recognition outside of regular news channel viewers that would be needed for a GE. Mishal and Jane are by far the best two options that the BBC have if an election was called tomorrow.

As for royal events and things like Remembrance Sunday I’d be surprised if these went to anyone but Kirsty Young in the short term.

[Larry the Loafer]

Not much of this is going to be constructive but I have little other options to vent about it.

I do have this somewhat sickly feeling - unwarranted for a man I don't personally know, granted - that this is more of a scandal that it is due to the initial reporting by the Sun. Social media is still pushing the narrative that Huw engaged in illegal activity, something the police have ruled out. That leaves the "charges" of allegedly being unfaithful to one's spouse (you're lucky to make Take a Break with that, never mind national news), allegedly being horrible to somebody on a dating website (what no really is that a thing no way) and allegedly being horrible to one's co-workers (if that was a sackable offence, I'm sure we'd lose two-thirds of all personalities currently gracing our televisions).

There are the inevitable comparisons to Caroline Flack following the revelation that Edwards is currently hospitalised, and I dread to think what happened to him to have ended up there. I rubbished comparisons to Flack when Phillip Schofield went through his saga, with my personal defence being that he brought all of it on himself and amplified the scandal by trying to cover it up. I don't think it's inappropriate to say that Huw's situation is closer to Schofield than it is to Flack, yet I find myself sympathising for Huw a lot more, whereas I was admittedly rubbing my hands at Schofield's downfall after controversies over the years made him look, to me, like an arrogant egomaniac. Huw Edwards, the man who's metaphorically held our hands through some of the biggest news events over the last couple of decades, is someone whose downfall I feel less inclined to "cheer for".

My point of this post, if one exists, is that it brings to light how people react to these stories based on either media narrative or personal confirmation bias. Having thought about it for the last hour or so, it's made me rethink my attitude towards the whole Schofield thing after seeing someone who I actually like find himself in a similar situation.

There is one certainty to take away from this, at least. The Sun is still run by s**thouses. I'm adamant there was no desire to get justice for anybody who may or may not have fallen victim to illegal activity. They just wanted to watch someone have their head in the stocks and try and take all the credit for it. Whatever irreparable damage may or may not come Huw's way, I wish ten times that towards The Sun.

[South]

I find this thread quite uncomfortable with people speculating about who will take over his roles, he has not resigned, he has not been found guilty of anything, he is still employed by the BBC.
We do not know the details and we should respect his colleagues and family at this time and not really speculate on any outcome of any investigation.
There are two sides to every story and we should not join in the trial by media and stick to the facts.

[Humphrey Hacker]

I am not going to comment on the current situation, partially because of how unclear things remain, and partially out of anger at how the entire situation has played out. But in light of the news of Huw Edwards receiving hospital care, and mental health once again being at the forefront of the news, I'm going to repeat what I said in the aftermath of Caroline Flack's passing.

If you are struggling with your mental health in any way, please speak to someone. That person could be:

- A family member
- A friend
- A work colleague
- Your GP

Alternatively, there are various helplines. The biggest one is the Samaritans, who you can speak to be either calling 116 123, or emailing jo@samaritans.org. Details for various other services can be found on the Mind website.

www.mind.org.uk 

Thankfully, Huw has done the right thing in this situation. And whilst I think it is outrageous that the situation was allowed to develop to this point, it is a good opportunity to remind ourselves of what to do if we are ever struggling with our mental health.

Don't suffer in silence.

I will add to that by saying that many parts of the UK have IAPT teams (Improved Access To Psychological Therapies) which are part of the NHS. They can be accessed without going through your GP and your GP doesn't have to know.

I will also not be commenting on the story until things have settled down and a fuller set of facts have emerged.

[excel99]

Just on a factual point

things like Remembrance Sunday I’d be surprised if these went to anyone but Kirsty Young in the short term.

David Dimbleby still does Remembrance Sunday. Huw Edwards does the Festival of Remembrance the night before