BBC forced to remove podcast where Huw Edwards makes Strictly boast

Panicked BBC bosses were forced to hastily remove a podcast in which its sex offender former presenter Huw Edwards boasts about being begged to appear on Strictly Come Dancing.

Edwards, 63, who quit the broadcaster during a police probe into child pornography offences, gushes about the invite during a cosy chat with Radio 2 legend Steve Wright.

The interview, on Steve Wright’s Big Guests podcast, sees the now shamed father-of-five turn up to seek a “seal of approval” for a star turn on the show.

It was first broadcast in January 2019 with the now-convicted sex offender then described as a “beloved man of the people”.

But it was immediately taken off BBC Sounds – the corporation’s radio streaming service – after the Daily Express flagged its sickening content in the light of Edwards’ conviction this month.

Appearing alongside Wright, who died in February at 69, Edwards was described as a “tease” for saying he would ponder an offer over the summer.

In the end he did not appear in the 17th series featuring former Olympian James Cracknell, TV presenter Anneka Rice, former footballer David James and eventual winner, Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher.

On being squeezed into tight-fitting costumes on the show, he said: “That’s what really scares me actually.”

Edwards told how producers tried to lure him onto the smash hit BBC One Saturday night dancing spectacular as its star turn after “setting the British television world alight”.

Wright, who died in February at 69, told Welsh-born Edwards he would be an “awesome contestant” to he replied: “Despite all appearances, I’m quite shy.”

He also expressed pride at being close to the Royal Family and being trusted to host blue riband events, adding: “I love Trooping The Colour.

“It’s a fantastic broadcast. One of the biggest outside broadcasts the BBC does and it’s the full works, the best military display in the world. It’s a brilliant thing. The music’s fantastic.

“The [late] Queen loves it. She’s there tapping her foot to the military marches and I love the whole day.”

Edwards also boasted about his relationship with the royals, hinting that he was close to them. When asked whether the Queen, who died in September 2022, knew him by name, he said: “One can’t betray these confidences.”

Wright is then heard to congratulate “our friend” on his “hunky and youthful” look.

The shamed former News at Ten anchor – paid £450,000 a year – escaped jail despite paying up to £1,500 to a paedophile pal who sent him 41 child sex images.

In July, he pleaded guilty to charges of making indecent images. On September 16 he was handed a six-month jail sentence, suspended for two years.

During his sentencing hearing Edwards did not receive a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, meaning he is free to do what he wants with his mobile phone as there are no restrictions placed on its use.

It means the disgraced presenter is still allowed to text paedophile friend Alex Williams, 25, who sent him a catalogue of sick sex images.

Edwards admitted three charges of “making” indecent photographs after he was sent 41 illegal images by Williams over WhatsApp.

Of those received, the estimated age of most of the children was between 13 and 15, but one was aged between seven and nine.

Ex-Met Police commander Peter Bleksley called Edwards’ sentence “shameful, pathetic and appalling”, adding: “It’s offensive to all right-minded people who believe children are to be protected.”

The BBC refused to comment but confirmed the episode had been removed.