BBC issues apology after chaotic Huw Edwards blunder

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The BBC apologised to viewers after accidentally airing an old clip of Huw Edwards.

The gaffe happened on Saturday (September 23) on BBC Breakfast when a Newswatch segment from 2017 was broadcast about Hurricane Maria.

It cut to a clip of Edwards, who was named by his wife as the BBC presenter at the centre of the explicit pictures scandal, who reported on the natural disaster that devastated the northeastern Caribbean.

Back in the studio, Ben Thompson realised the error and swiftly apologised to viewers at home, blaming the incident on ‘technical gremlins.’

Addressing the audience, Ben, 42, said: ‘So you might have noticed, the eagle-eyed viewers amongst you, that was quite an old episode of Newswatch so we will find the right one and make sure we can bring that to you.

‘So apologies, a few technical gremlins at this end. ‘

In July, long-time BBC presenter Edwards, 61, was suspended after claims emerged that he had paid a young person more than £35,000 for sexually explicit images.

The Met police later confirmed there was no evidence of a crime being committed, with Edwards’s wife shortly afterwards releasing a statement on his behalf and sharing he’d been ‘suffering from serious mental health issues’ and was receiving in-patient hospital care where he would stay for the ‘foreseeable future’.

The BBC is currently undergoing a ‘fact finding’ investigation into the allegations levelled at Edwards, with the corporation also likely to consider separate claims of potential workplace misconduct that were not of a criminal nature.

They added it would look into ensuring due process and a thorough assessment of the facts while ‘continuing to be mindful of our duty of care to all involved’.

After Edwards was named as the presenter at the centre of the allegations, several others spoke out and expressed their concern for him, including Dan Walker, Alistair Campbell and Jon Sopel.

Channel 5 presenter Walker said it was ‘an awful situation and will come as a big shock to many’.

Meanwhile, the BBC has become renowned for on-air blunders of late, including the likes of newsreaders they’re not realising they’re still on air, and technical issues leaving the studio in darkness.

More recently, a huge gaffe happened during the broadcast of President Biden meeting King Charles.

Ahead of the important meeting, the channel was airing scenes of Windsor Castle, when suddenly, the scenic view was replaced with coloured bars and a clear disruption.

Not only that, but the ‘BREAKING’ banner appeared on the screen while a rolling feed showed the words: ‘Field operations, Sky News, London.’

As the camera turned back to an interviewee, a reporter said: ‘Oops! We’ve lost the picture but there we go!’

BBC Breakfast airs from 6am on BBC One and iPlayer.

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