Good Morning Britain co-hosts Susanna Reid and Ed Balls have been left speechless after ‘one of the oddest interviews ever’ with Huw Edwards’ publicist.
Appearing on the ITV morning show, Barry Tomes explained how he has ‘self-appointed himself as an investigator’ into the former BBC presenter’s crimes, who was convicted of making indecent images of children.
This comes after Edwards’ downfall was explored in a new Channel 5 drama, which aired last night.
Asked by Balls why he decided to become the disgraced broadcaster’s publicist, Tomes said: ‘He’s not the first famous man to have these issues and there will be more unless we can figure out why.’
Responding, Reid said: ‘I don’t understand what you’re getting at, we know what happened… what are you looking for? Have you sort of self appointed yourself as an investigator.’
Tomes then said: ‘Yes, I probably have actually. I’m interested in mental health… and I think lots of questions are being asked, but nobody seems to say why.’
Asking him about his decision to represent Edwards, a ‘convicted paedophile who saw class A images [of children] which he admitted in court’, Balls questioned why he has decided to help and support Edwards.
‘It was my choice,’ Tomes replied. ‘I approached him, he never approached me. Quite simply, I’d like to find out why these things happen generally. Why do powerful men do these things.’
However, Balls pointed out that he’s ‘not investigating, you’re his publicist’.
Reacting to the interview, fans were as perplexed as Balls and Reid, as Jordan wrote on X: ‘Genuinely one of the oddest interviews you’ll ever see. Anybody any idea what his position actually was?’
Dave also wrote: ‘What on earth was that all about, I don’t think he had a clue and neither do we.’
Meanwhile, Greg argued: ‘He confused me. I am not sure what he is trying to achieve,’ as Mike called it a ‘ridiculous interview’.
Following the release of the Channel 5 drama, viewers said they were left ‘sickened’ after watching.
Starring Martin Clunes as Edwards, the drama detailed how he groomed a young man over several years.
As the series states in a disclaimer, it is based on ‘extensive’ interviews with the victim, his family and the journalists who revealed his story, however some elements have been dramatised.
Many viewers on social media have praised Clunes’s performance and the film’s dramatic final scene.
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