BBC Confident Of Signing New Deal With Huw Edwards Amid Presenter Exodus
28.02.2023 - 13:13
/ deadline.com
EXCLUSIVE: The BBC is confident that it will stem the flow of its presenter exodus by signing a new deal with its highest-profile news anchor.
Deadline can reveal that BBC sources expect Huw Edwards to commit himself to the broadcaster for up to three years, ending speculation about his future.
Edwards, 61, is the BBC’s best-known and joint highest-paid news presenter. He has spoken recently about scaling back his duties, but BBC insiders are optimistic they have convinced him to stay after his standout year in 2022.
Edwards was in the chair when the BBC first reported the news of Queen Elizabeth II’s death last September. He remained ever-present on-screen during the period of national mourning and the funeral, winning praise for the tone and eloquence of his reporting during a historically significant moment.
Edwards said in 2021 that he was considering quitting the BBC’s News at Ten, with The Sunday Times reporting last year that he was expected to leave the bulletin in early 2023.
“The nightly news business, after 20 years, can be taxing, even though I still enjoy the job,” he said in 2021. “But I don’t think I’ll be doing that for long.”
At the same time, there have been reports of Edwards being courted by rivals, including ITV’s Good Morning Britain, where he was eyed as a potential successor to Piers Morgan.
He is now expected to continue hosting BBC1’s 10PM bulletins, as well as playing a central role in the corporation’s coverage of King Charles III’s coronation in May. He will also be the face of the BBC’s general election output next year.
Edwards earns as much as £415,000 but has taken two pay cuts over the past three years as the BBC seeks to reduce presenter salaries. There is speculation his salary