13 July 2023 , 08:16
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Huw Edwards' wife has been praised for her dignified and compassionate handling of her husband's sex picture scandal.
Vicky Flind announced on Wednesday night Huw was the BBC presenter accused of paying a young person £35,000 for sexually explicit images.
The mum-of-five shared her husband was "suffering from serious mental health issues" and is receiving "in-patient hospital care" amid the claims.
Vicky, who works in TV as a producer, added Huw was "deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted" amid speculation.
Following the statement being released, several prominent figures in the world of media and politics showed their support for Vicky online.
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Vicky Flind's handling of the scandal has been praised by many"Just coming on here to say that Vicky Flind is by some distance one of the nicest, kindest and most decent women I've had the privilege to work with," Labour Party MP wrote on Twitter on Wednesday night.
TV editor Rob Burley added: "The only person I know who's involved in the Huw Edwards story is his wife, Vicky Flind, who I worked with at the BBC. She's a hugely talented and a thoroughly decent and good person. I hope she's left alone now too."
Vicky, 61, works in TV and was previously the editor of the BBC's This Week. She then moved to ITV's rival politics show Peston, and also worked on Britain's Next Prime Minister. Robert Peston called Vicky "the kindest most decent woman" via his Twitter account on Wednesday night.
On social media user replied to Peston's tweet, writing: "So sad for all concerned. It would appear that Vicky Flind is also a very courageous and beautiful human being. Hoping she finds the strength to survive this horrendous event in their family life."
Journalist Robert Rea penned: "I used to work with Vicky Flind when I was a political producer for the Nine O’Clock News. She is a lovely human being who - whatever your view about the rest of this sordid saga - truly does not deserve to be in the position she finds herself in. Thoughts and prayers with her."
Huw and Vicky share five children together (TOLGA AKMEN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)The statement Vicky released on Wednesday reads: "In light of the recent reporting regarding the "BBC Presenter" I am making this statement on behalf of my husband Huw Edwards, after what have been five extremely difficult days for our family.
"I am doing this primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children.Huw is suffering from serious mental health issues. As is well documented, he has been treated for severe depression in recent years. The events of the last few days have greatly worsened matters, he has suffered another serious episode and is now receiving in-patient hospital care where he'll stay for the foreseeable future.
"Once well enough to do so, he intends to respond to the stories that have been published. To be clear Huw was first told that there were allegations being made against him last Thursday. In the circumstances and given Huw's condition I would like to ask that the privacy of my family and everyone else caught up in these upsetting events is respected. I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation. We hope this statement will bring that to an end."
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