Martin Clunes opened up about playing Huw Edwards during an appearance on Good Morning Britain (Image: ITV)
Martin Clunes has broken his silence after Huw Edwards unleashed a scathing attack on the Channel 5 drama about his very public downfall, which stars the Doc Martin legend as the disgraced news anchor. Speaking on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday, March 24, just 12 hours before the show is set to broadcast, Clunes reflected on Huw’s remarks. “There’s a weird circularity to this,” he said, “because I appreciate he’s upset by the fact that we’ve made this programme, but he would have reported on other downfalls, other people’s disgraces without a second thought.”
The 64-year-old former BBC stalwart blasted Wonderhood Studios, which is behind Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards, in a lengthy statement made public on Monday March 23. “(They) made no attempt to check with me the truth of any aspect of their narrative before going ahead with the production. They belatedly asked for a response after the drama had been made, while reserving the right to edit any such response.
“They also refused to disclose whether any of those making allegations had been paid for their contributions. Channel 5’s ‘factual drama’ is hardly likely to convey the reality of what happened.”
In the statement, which was obtained by the Daily Mail, the former News At 10 anchor also expressed remorse for the crimes which led to his conviction.
He said: “My deep regret and remorse for the crimes I committed were expressed in court. In pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity, I took full responsibility for my reprehensible actions.”
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
The Welsh journalist admitted three charges of making indecent images of children and received a six-month suspended sentence in September 2024. He was put on the sex offenders’ register for seven years and ordered to complete a sex offender treatment programme.
Martin Clunes has responded after Huw Edwards slammed his upcoming drama about the star’s downfall (Image: Channel 5/BBC)
Asked by the host Susanna Reid, how he had managed to get into Edwards’ mindset, Clunes revealed: “I had the script, and you just have to sort of get behind everything the script gets you to do.
“…Judging it wasn’t on my list of things to do that day, standing back and saying, ‘This is a terrible man doing terrible things’…My task is to try and inhabit what the script gives me of that fella.
“I’m not attracted to the things Huw Edwards was, but…I know about attraction, so you just sort of swap [it out],” he explained.
Clunes also responded to people who feel the drama may be coming too soon after Edwards’ crimes came to light. “If anybody thinks it’s too soon, don’t watch it,” he said. “Also, what is the timetable for these things?” he asked.
