Huw Edwards, a long-standing figure in British broadcasting, received over £475,000 from the BBC before his departure this April amidst a scandal involving explicit photos and a young individual. Edwards, who had been a cornerstone of BBC One’s news coverage, earned between £475,000 and £479,999 in the fiscal year 2023/24, an increase from the previous year, according to the BBC’s annual report.
The report reveals that Edwards was paid for 160 days of presenting major broadcasts, including news specials and election coverage. This pay package marked a significant rise from his earnings in 2022/23, which totaled between £435,000 and £439,999 for 180 days of work.
Edwards’ career at the BBC was abruptly halted following allegations that surfaced in July 2023, leading to his suspension. Despite being off-air, he remained on the BBC payroll, a standard practice for the corporation during such proceedings. Edwards faced serious mental health issues during this period and received in-patient care.
Upon his exit, the BBC stated that Edwards did not receive a severance package and that his departure was guided by medical advice from his healthcare providers. Edwards had been a prominent voice during significant events on the BBC, such as the announcement of Queen Elizabeth II’s death and the coverage of her funeral.
BBC Director-General Tim Davie defended the decision to increase Edwards’ pay prior to the scandal, emphasizing judicious spending of public funds and the necessity of proportional responses to the situation.
Edwards was listed as the third highest-paid BBC employee for the year, just behind Gary Lineker, who topped the list for the seventh consecutive year with an annual salary exceeding £1.35 million.
The disclosure of salaries in the BBC’s annual report continues to draw public and media scrutiny, particularly around the financial management of the publicly funded broadcaster. The report also highlighted the absence of some of the BBC’s top stars whose salaries are not disclosed due to their payment arrangements through production companies.
This year’s report arrives amid ongoing critiques of BBC programming and internal culture, especially concerning the popular show “Strictly Come Dancing.” The report includes only minor mentions of the show, despite recent controversies surrounding its production and treatment of contestants.
