Huw Edwards has resigned from the BBC "on medical advice".

Huw Edwards has left the BBC

Huw Edwards has left the BBC

The 62-year-old broadcaster has been off air since last July amid reports he had allegedly paid a young person for sexually explicit images, but he is now stepping away from the network for good.

A statement from the BBC read: "Huw Edwards has today resigned and left the BBC.

"After 40 years of service, Huw has explained that his decision was made on the basis of medical advice from his doctors.

"The BBC has accepted his resignation which it believes will allow all parties to move forward. We don't believe it appropriate to comment further."

Huw was one of the BBC's highest-paid stars and famously delivered the news of Queen Elizabeth's death to the nation in September 2022.

The 'News at 10' anchor was named as the BBC presenter at the centre of the scandal last summer by his wife Vicky Flind, who explained at the time he had been admitted to hospital with "serious" mental health issues and she was speaking out following days of speculation "primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children".

She said in a statement at the time: "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."

Police said at the time no criminal offence had been committed by the presenter.