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Huw Edwards considering his future in 'taxing' BBC News role

Huw Edwards has been one of the main faces of news coverage on the BBC for more than 20 years. (Chris Jackson/Pool/AFP)
Huw Edwards has been one of the main faces of news coverage on the BBC for more than 20 years. (Chris Jackson/Pool/AFP)

Veteran BBC newsreader Huw Edwards has confessed that he's considering his future as anchor of the channel's News at Ten, stating that "it's fair for the viewers to get a change".

The 59-year-old journalist told BBC Radio Cymru that the nightly role is a "taxing" one and, although he still enjoys his work, he may be saying goodbye to it soon.

"Now that a big milestone is here, which is 60 years old, it's natural for a man to think: 'Am I going to continue in this job for another five years, or do I want to do something different?'," he said.

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Edwards added: "I don't think I'll be doing that for long. Because I believe that, in the first place, I think it's fair for the viewers to get a change.

"Secondly, I have co-workers who are very talented. It's time to give them a chance too."

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Edwards began hosting BBC News at Ten in 2003, after four years as host of the earlier, six o'clock bulletin – which was then the most-watched news programme in the country.

During his time at the broadcaster, he has also covered significant events including elections, Olympic opening ceremonies and, most recently, the death and funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh.

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In the radio interview, which was conducted in the Welsh language, Edwards said he "won't disappear tomorrow" from the news, but he is considering slowing down.

"Of course, I'm thinking about the working patterns of the future," he said.

"And the truth is that I don't want to sustain these working patterns for a long time to come, because I don't believe it's a very wise thing at all."

Huw Edwards has anchored the BBC's flagship 10pm news broadcast since 2003. (Jeff Overs/BBC News & Current Affairs via Getty Images)
Huw Edwards has anchored the BBC's flagship 10pm news broadcast since 2003. (Jeff Overs/BBC News & Current Affairs via Getty Images)

Edwards was asked about the BBC's decision to publish the salaries of stars earning over £150,000 – which included him – and he described it as a "nightmare", especially as he had taken a large pay cut several years ago.

"I don't expect anyone to feel sorry for me," he said. "But if you do get a huge pay cut, it's certainly going to affect you, your psychology, and your attitude towards the work.

"Especially if you see co-workers getting large pay rises and you don't quite understand why."

In the most recent reveal of BBC salaries, Edwards was listed as earning between £465,000 and £469,999 per year — considerably lower than the £550,000-£599,999 he was earning in 2017.

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