Former BBC presenter Huw Edwards has faced renewed criticism after it emerged he entered one of Wales’ most prestigious poetry competitions under a pseudonym less than two years after his conviction for child abuse image offences. Edwards, who was convicted in 2024 of possessing indecent images and prohibited images of children, submitted a poem to the National Eisteddfod’s Crown competition using the pen name “Y Gelyn”, which translates as “The Enemy.” His entry, described as a tribute to his late father, did not win the competition’s £750 prize.
Convicted in 2024
Edwards was convicted after admitting three counts of making indecent images of children and one count of possessing prohibited images. The court heard he had stored 41 indecent images and videos of boys aged between seven and 14 across multiple electronic devices. He received a six-month suspended prison sentence, was made subject to a seven-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and was placed on the sex offenders register for seven years.
Poem explored personal turmoil
According to reports, Edwards’ poem referred to himself as a “wayward son” and explored themes of personal struggle and inner conflict. Entries to the National Eisteddfod are submitted anonymously to ensure judges are unaware of competitors’ identities. A spokesperson for the National Eisteddfod said:
“Nobody, including the judges, know beforehand who has competed.”
Victims and abuse survivors criticise entry
The revelation has prompted criticism from abuse survivors and one of Edwards’ victims. Actress Sera Cracroft, who has spoken publicly about surviving child abuse, said she was disappointed by Edwards’ decision to enter the competition. She said:
“It’s far too soon for him to try and redeem himself.”
She added that it would have been “catastrophic” had he won the prestigious literary award. One of Edwards’ victims, who received inappropriate messages from him while he worked at the BBC, also criticised the move. The victim said:
“Has this man no shame? After everything he has done he should just disappear.”
Anonymous judging process
The National Eisteddfod reiterated that all entries are judged anonymously, meaning neither judges nor organisers know the identity of competitors until after the judging process has concluded. Edwards’ entry was unsuccessful and did not feature among the prize winners.
Related: Fire Rips Through Abandoned Sports Bar in Newbury, Bartholomew Street Sealed Off
Related: Blaze Erupts on 100m Southampton Ship During Refit – Quick-Thinking Crew Escapes Unharmed
Related: Bembridge Lifeboat Saves Trimaran Crew After Anchor Fails to Lift
Related: Queue Chaos at HMS Collingwood Open Day Sparks Fury Over 90-Minute Waits
Related: A3M Northbound Shut After Serious Pedestrian Collision at Clanfield – Drivers Urged to Avoid
Related: High-Speed Crash on M3 Near Basingstoke Sends Driver to Hospital, Lane Closure Sparks Chaos
Related: Daylight Petrol Attack at Locks Heath Centre: Man’s Car Set Ablaze, Suspect Arrested
Related: Fifty Firefighters Battle Intense Overnight Blaze at Swanwick Boatyard Near Southampton
Related: Portsmouth Woman Assaulted After Birthday Night Out – Police Urgently Seek Suspect ID
Related: Christchurch House Blaze Sees Six Fire Crews Battle Flames Late Into Night
Related: Toxic Ecstasy Tablets Send Four to Hospital on Isle of Wight – Police Arrest Man and Offer Amnesty
Related: Urgent Appeal: Missing Gosport and Fareham Teens Alexandra Grundy and Rebeka Zvaigzne Still Not Found
Related: Portsmouth Pervert Strips Naked After Tricking Woman for Photo on Eastney Beach
Related: Urgent Appeal as Southampton Man Ovidijus Aukselis, 22, Missing for Two Days
Related: Driver Jeanette Smith Charged Over Fatal A32 Cyclist Crash
Related: Cherokee Plane Crashes Into Sea Off Winchelsea Beach – Pilot Missing as Search Continues
Related: Fiery Inferno Rages On at Biffa Recycling Centre in Marchwood as Firefighters Battle 100 Tonnes of Burning Waste
Related: Police Chase Horror in Beckenham: Woman and Boy Killed, Three Girls Injured After Ford Crashes into Pedestrians
Related: Witness Appeal After A32 Corhampton Crash Leaves Biker with Life-Changing Injuries – Police Seek ‘Max’ for Key Info
Related: Urgent Search Underway for Missing 11-Year-Old Bobby Last Seen at Portsmouth Skate Park
Related: Cook Like a Pro: Chef-Approved Moroccan Chicken, Kisir & Corn Salad Recipes Revealed!
Related: Low-Waste Living Made Easy: Simple Tips to Keep Earth Day Every Day in the UK
Related: Earl of Wessex Visits Portsmouth Cycle Hub in Duke of Edinburgh’s Award 60th Anniversary Tour
Related: Missing Man Alert: Have You Seen Anthony Barbera, 57, Last Spotted in Portsmouth?
Related: Basingstoke Burglar Daniel Malcolm Jailed for Five Years After High-Speed Chase and Multiple Break-Ins
Related: Gunwharf Quays Back Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance as 2016/17 Charity of the Year
Related: Portsmouth Chaos: 40ft Lorry Trapped in Fratton Streets for Over an Hour
Related: Police Urge Lorry Driver to Come Forward After Fatal M27 Crash Kills Bognor Regis Man
Related: Portsmouth Gun and Cocaine Dealer Dean Broadway Jailed for Seven Years
Related: Black Military-Style Falcon Buzzes Low Over Portsmouth in Electronic Warfare Drill
We are your go-to destination for breaking UK news, real-life stories from communities across the country, striking images, and must-see video from the heart of the action.
Follow us on Facebook at for the latest updates and developing stories, and stay connected on X (Twitter) the for live coverage as news breaks across the UK.
