THE young man who sent explicit pictures of himself to Huw Edwards says the BBC newsreader manipulated him.
He added he was homeless at the time and that the famous broadcaster sent him money, before beginning to ask if there was anything the man would do for him in return.
Speaking for the first time about the scandal, the man told the Mirror: "I want to tell the truth about what happened.
"I've stayed silent for so long to protect Huw, but I feel sick at what's gone on The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, says he feels like Edwards, 62, "groomed" him.
The scandal erupted last summer when it emerged the man's mum and stepdad had claimed that Edwards paid £35,000 in return for "sordid" pictures of himself.
Edwards was not named publicly at first, but within days his identity was revealed by his wife, TV producer Vicky Flind.
Edwards was also admitted to hospital over serious mental health concerns. The man who had sent him the images defended Edwards at the time. But he later began to feel he had in fact been a victim.
Those feelings crystallised when he received a call this week from police telling him in advance about the charges against Edwards over indecent images of children.
The man, who is 21 but who was a vulnerable teenager when Edwards first asked him for explicit photos and messages, says it is now time to tell his story.
He says he was in a very troubled state when he first contacted the TV news anchor.
Having fallen out with his mother and stepfather, he was sleeping on friends' sofas and had spent a few nights at a homeless shelter, which he described as "scary". He began sending direct messages via social media to famous people to ask if they could help him.
He was in a burger bar in Cardiff when he happened to see Edwards on the TV, so decided to message him. Edwards was the only person to reply to any of the messages.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 03, 2024-Ausgabe von Daily Mirror UK.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 03, 2024-Ausgabe von Daily Mirror UK.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
BACK FROM THE DJED
Spence just in time to save game for Spurs and then Johnson adds winner
DUBOIS CAN BE DANTASTIC
Lewis says Dubois can make Joshua's supporters switch allegiance... like he did with Bruno in 1993
WIGAN PEERLESS
Top try-scorer Marshall aims to help the Warriors seal No.1 spot and make more history
GOLDIE SHOT AT AYR
JIM GOLDIE believes he has two live shots at making history on Saturday in Scotland's richest Flat race.
The Wex Factor
Dermot and dad pitch up for hurling on Ireland tour
Friends in tribute to Super Kev
Memorial held in Goodison shadow
Rob's kids inspired him to stay strong in battle with MND
Rugby League star's touching last insight
'Far too many muffins in thé area' bagging
Tesco mulling AI nudges to help shoppers
Vic Reeves: I want reunion with Bob
... and we’ll only charge £30 a ticket
PLEA ON POVERTY
charities say millions need lifeline