HUW: NEWS JUST IN ..I’M READY TO QUIT
News at Ten anchor eyes next move as he turns 60
HUW Edwards is thinking of quitting his role as anchor of BBC1’s News at Ten as he turns 60 this week.
The newsreader, who has fronted the bulletin since 2003, said it is time to consider making way for others.
He said: “I believe a time comes when you’re bound to re-assess what’s in front of you. Now a big milestone is here, it’s natural to think, ‘Am I going to continue in this job for another five years, or do I want to do something different?’”
In a Welsh-language interview, he told Radio Cymru: “The nightly news business, after 20 years, that can be taxing – even though I still enjoy the job. But I don’t think I’ll be doing that for long.
“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. And I think it’s an appropriate time to consider what’s ahead.”
The dad-of-five, who lives in South London with BBC producer wife Vicky Flind, hinted that his departure would come in the next few years.
He said: “I won’t disappear tomorrow because I’m still enjoying myself. But, of course, I’m thinking about the working patterns of the future. And the truth is 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, who accepted a 20% pay cut in 2018 as BBC bosses grappled with the gender pay cap, is annoyed that his salary has been revealed every year since 2017, under Government rules for BBC high-fliers earning more than £150,000.
He said the issue was handled “clumsily”, adding: “I’m thankful I have a job that pays well. But it can be awkward in terms of my personal attitude.
“My own children didn’t know how much I was paid, and my mother and father always told me it wasn’t my business what other people were paid.”
Huw, who now earns approximately £430,000 a year, said that the enforced wage transparency has angered him.
“The whole business about salaries has been a nightmare. And, of course, if you go to Channel 4, ITV or Sky – where they earn a lot more money – no one announces their wages.”