BBC Radio 5 presenter Nicky Campbell has found justice after a man falsely accused him last summer of being the then-unnamed presenter – later revealed to be Huw Edwards – who paid a teenager for sexually explicit photos.
The presenter, 63, said the ‘malicious’ communication he received has now been dealt with, as a man has written him a formal apology, and also paid him a ‘sum’ to avoid going to court over the accusation.
Last summer it was reported that an unnamed BBC presenter had been accused of paying a teenager more than £35,000 for explicit pictures from when the person in question was 17 years old.
Before the presenter was named as Edwards, other BBC presenters were hit with suspicion and falsely accused of being the unnamed presenter – including Nicky.
Now Nicky, who joined BBC Radio 5 in 1997, has revealed how ‘amazing people’ on X rallied around him after the public accusation, and tracked down the man behind the post, who was subsequently handed a police caution for his online actions.
Posting a picture of the apology on X, Nicky explained: ‘Some news. At the time of the Huw Edwards story many malicious communications were made on Twitter/X.
‘Thanks to amazing people on here, we eventually traced this guy. He got a police caution and now a record. They can run…’
The apology letter wrote in full: ‘Dear Mr Campbell. On 8 July 2023 at 17:37, I posted a tweet on Twitter (now known as X) identifying you as the then-unknown BBC presenter involved in purchasing sexually explicit photos from a teenager.
‘I accept that this allegation was wholly untrue and ought not to have been made. I understand and deeply regret the distress and harm my unfounded allegation has caused you.
‘I sincerely apologise to you and your family for the harm and distress caused by my tweet. I made a terrible mistake in publishing it. This is something that I will forever regret, and I hope that you will be able to accept my apology.
‘I undertake to you that I will never publish any statement about you in the future, whether relating to this matter and my defamation of you, or otherwise.
‘I further undertake to keep the terms of this settlement confidential and acknowledge that you are not bound by the same obligation.
‘I am also extremely grateful to you for accepting this apology and payment of an agreed sum to avoid the need for court proceedings.’
Fans and friends flooded to Nicky’s comments in support of the beloved presenter, as podcaster Stephen Knight wrote: ‘Great news. Was disgusted to see that happening at the time.’
Carl Bov said: ‘This kind of thing is highly damaging. Glad it’s been resolved.’
Lindsey Greig added: ‘Well done Nicky, these people should be held to account.’
Following what he dubbed a ‘distressing weekend’ when he was accused last summer, Nicky opened his BBC Radio 5 Live show on July 10 2023, and said: ‘Obviously thoughts with the alleged victim and family.
‘So a bit of perspective here, worse things happen at sea as they say, but it was a distressing weekend, I can’t deny it, for me and others falsely named.’
He continued: ‘Today I am having further conversations with the police in terms of malicious communication and with lawyers in terms of defamation.’
Following his admission, a caller rang to say she was ‘so angry’ that Campbell and TV personalities had to come forward and clear their names.
Nicky responded: ‘I’m all good, Jeremy (Vine) and also others involved as well, Rylan (Clark) and also Gary (Lineker), yeah it’s uncomfortable but as I said earlier worse things happen at sea.
‘We’re big boys.’
Three days later, Edwards’ wife Vicky Find issued a statement on behalf of her 62-year-old husband, identifying him as the BBC presenter facing the allegations.
She said: ‘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.
‘Once well enough to do so, he intends to respond to the stories that have been published. To be clear Huw was first told that there were allegations being made against him last Thursday.
‘In the circumstances and given Huw’s condition I would like to ask that the privacy of my family and everyone else caught up in these upsetting events is respected.
‘I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation. We hope this statement will bring that to an end.’
A second young person claimed that the newsreader sent them expletive-filled messages, while a third alleged that he broke lockdown rules to meet them.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that there was no evidence to suggest that a criminal offence had been committed.
Nicky’s justice comes after it was revealed Edwards received a six-figure salary before his resignation from the broadcaster ‘on medical advice’ in April 2024 after 40 years.
Edwards did not return to the air after the allegations came to light and he was suspended in July 2023.