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Power: The Downfall Of Huw Edwards tells the story of the presenter’s fall from grace

Channel 5 viewers have called a new programme about former BBC newsreader Huw Edwards a “hard watch”.

Power: The Downfall Of Huw Edwards – starring Martin Clunes in the main role – chronicles the events leading to the presenter’s conviction for making indecent images of children. He was found guilty in 2024, and received a six-month prison sentence, which was suspended for two years.

The drama aired on Channel 5 on Tuesday (March 24), centring on Edwards’ alleged interaction with a 17-year-old. The teen, given the fictional name ‘Ryan’, is portrayed by Welsh actor Osian Morgan.

Moments after it began, viewers started posting comments on social media stating that it made for “uncomfortable” viewing, reports Wales Online.

“5 minutes in and can already tell this will be a thoroughly uncomfortable watch,” one viewer posted on X. Another individual admitted they were “already creeped out”.

“Not even halfway and I feel nauseous,” another person shared on the platform, formerly known as Twitter.

“Already creeped out when he calls him ‘baby’,” commented another viewer, whilst someone else confessed they were “speechless” watching the story unfold.

“I’m normally quite hardened to these sorts of dramas but honestly this Huw Edwards programme on 5 is a heck of an uncomfortable watch,” another viewer expressed.

“It’s a hard watch,” concurred another, as one viewer admitted they were turning off.

“I tried watching Power but it’s so grim that I’ve switched over to a repeat of Simon Schama’s History of Britain,” they shared.

“That’s it I have had to turn off this Huw Edwards programme,” said someone else.

Another viewer described the programme as feeling “dark and ominous”.

Numerous viewers also commented on Martin’s depiction of the former newsreader, saying he “nailed it”.

“Clunes is playing a blinder as Huw Edwards,” one individual remarked, whilst another added: “Martin Clunes is giving a career-defining performance. A disturbing, but compelling, portrayal of Huw Edwards.”

“Clunes is really pulling this off,” observed another, with someone else stating that the Doc Martin star’s performance was an “absolute tour de force”.

“Martin Clunes is formidable in his portrayal of Huw Edwards,” praised another impressed viewer.

Power: The Downfall Of Huw Edwards airs on Channel 5.

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill says that Chris Atherton’s switch to the Republic of Ireland is “disappointing, but we have to accept it”.

Atherton made history in September 2022 when he became the youngest senior footballer in the United Kingdom at 13 years and 329 days old, when he featured for Glenavon in the League Cup in Northern Ireland.

The 17-year-old moved from Glenavon, who he had been with since the age of four, to Chelsea’s academy in July 2025 before signing a professional contract in October.

Atherton represented Northern Ireland at under-16 and under-17 level, and was a youth ambassador at the announcement in Nyon for the UK and Ireland’s successful bid to host Euro 2028 in October 2023, but has now changed allegiance to the Republic of Ireland.

Speaking at his squad announcement for the World Cup play-off semi-final in Italy, O’Neill said “every player has the right to make that choice”.

“He’s a young player that had been initially in the Republic of Ireland set-up,” he continued.

“He came back to be part of our set-up and I think Chris played maybe 17 times for representative teams for us.

“But every player has the right to make that choice, and obviously he’s made that choice.”

O’Neill also referenced the decision of Omari Kellyman, who is on loan at Cardiff City from Chelsea and switched to England from Northern Ireland in 2023.

Northern Ireland have also benefited from changes of allegiance, as Jamie Donley and Ronan Hale switched from England and the Republic of Ireland respectively in the past 12 months.

“We can’t handcuff them to a decision that they made initially,” O’Neill added.

“They have the right to make that choice once in their career, and Chris has decided to make that choice.

“We can only wish him well”.