In September 2022, Edwards was one of Britain’s most trusted newsreaders, handed the responsibility of making the historic declaration of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

At the same time, Edwards was secretly soliciting explicit sexual photos from young men including a vulnerable 17-year-old. Separately, he had struck up an online friendship with a man who repeatedly sent him messages containing child abuse imagery, including the most extreme ‘category A’ images, which he accessed and for which he received a suspended jail sentence.

Wonderhood’s drama is built on extensive factual research over the past 12 months, including first-hand interviews and co-operation from those at the heart of the scandal and exclusive access to The Sun newspaper’s award-winning investigation into Edwards.

5’s chief content officer Ben Frow described the drama as “an important and shocking story.”

“By gaining exclusive access to the key individuals involved and those who investigated the story, we explore the human cost behind the headlines,” he added. “As a close collaboration between 5’s factual and scripted teams this is a first for the channel.”

Wonderhood chief exec David Abraham said the scripted two-parter “builds on our record in producing premium documentaries about challenging subjects that matter”.

He continued: “Drama is also a medium with the power to uncover profound psychological truths, and we are incredibly grateful to our brave contributors in trusting us with their story.”

5’s consultant editor for commissioning Guy Davies ordered the series alongside scripted commissioning editor Paul Testar.

Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards (w/t) is co-produced with programme financiers Krempelwood, directed by Michael Samuels (The Windermere Children, Any Human Heart) and written by Mark Burt (The Trial).

The producer is Angie Daniell (A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story) and the casting director is Jenny Duffy. The factual producer is Louise Kentleton and director of production is Lianne Hickey. Samantha Anstiss and Tom Garton exec produce for Wonderhood.

Fergie and the Fake Sheikh Scandal (1 x 60 min.), which premieres on January 17, delves into allegations made in an undercover film of Mazher Mahmood posing as a “Fake Sheikh” in which it appeared that Sarah Ferguson (pictured), the former Duchess of York, was allegedly offering access to the former Prince Andrew in exchange for £500,000. The infamous sting operation became a worldwide talking point, igniting a media firestorm.

Camilla: Of the People for the People (1 x 90 min., w/t) looks at the journey from once being considered one of the most hated women in Britain to becoming Queen Consort, charting her rise in popularity from outsider to one of the most relatable and trusted figures in the contemporary monarchy. No broadcast date has been announced.

Also yet to be slated is Elizabeth and Philip: A Royal Fairytale (1 x 90 min., w/t), which examines the relationship between Queen Elizabeth II and her husband of 73 years, Prince Philip, framing it as one of the greatest love stories in modern times. The documentary revisits the moments that shaped both their marriage and the monarchy, over decades of change.

The three documentaries have been commissioned for 5 by Federico Ruiz, commissioning editor for 5/Paramount. The executive producer for Naked is Nicola Lloyd, while the executive producers for Krempelwood are Blair Krempel and Mark Wood.

(Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

Flicker Productions’ managing director Nick Underhill has moved to co-pro and finance indie Krempelwood in a newly created role, Broadcast can reveal.

Underhill has been appointed business development director and will play a key role in UK-based Krempelwood’s growth strategy as it expands in the US and Australia, developing alternative finance models and investment opportunities across all types of content content from inception to distribution.