Huw Edwards, who is at the centre of a BBC scandal, has previously spoken about his rejection from Oxford University.

In a statement released by his wife on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Edwards was revealed as the BBC presenter facing allegations over payments for sexually explicit images.

In her statement, Vicky Flind said her husband was "suffering from serious mental health issues" and is now "receiving in-patient hospital care where he will stay for the foreseeable future" as she asked for privacy for her family.

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Her statement added: "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.

The BBC newsreader, 61, previously told students at Oxford University that he was “ready to dazzle the world with my ability” when he applied to Hertford College in 1978.

Mr Edwards however found out he was rejected and instead he chose to study French at Cardiff University.

Mr Edwards then achieved the feat of becoming the BBC’s youngest political correspondent at the age of 25.

Mr Edwards previously said: “I have the scholarly giants of Oxford to thank for the fact that I’ve been a dazzling success… as a journalist."

Speaking at Oxford University’s annual Philip Geddes memorial lecture, he told students at the time that “failure and setbacks are a part of life”.

The presenter previously said he was appalled when he first learnt the university had rejected him and said he was a “rather stroppy and arrogant teenager”.

He said: “I was appalled by this outcome and I just thought, well, I’m going to do well anyway.

“I’m going to do my best to do well despite that.”

Mr Edwards attended Llanelli Boys Grammar School, a state grammar in South Wales.