After the hearing British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “really shocked and appalled” by Edwards’s crimes, while the BBC said in a statement their former top paid star had “betrayed not just the BBC, but audiences who put their trust in him”.

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A mugshot, taken after his arrest in November, showed the almost unrecognisable face of a man with stubble, bags under his eyes, red in the face and with a small nick to the top of his forehead.

Wearing a buttoned-up navy cardigan and white shirt without a tie in court, Edwards spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address. He turned his body away from reporters, including former BBC colleagues, as prosecutors outlined the case against him.

Judge Paul Goldspring said: “The loss of your distinguished career and the financial and reputational damage caused are not, in my view, significant mitigating factors, but rather natural consequences of your behaviour which you brought upon yourself”.

The judge said Edwards had been residing as an inpatient at a mental health facility since his last court appearance, and that his stay had been extended on the advice of his psychiatrist.

Edwards was said during the trial to have no memory of viewing any particular images and claimed he did not gain any sexual gratification from them, nor did he distribute them.

Philip Evans KC, representing Edwards, told the court: “He is profoundly sorry. He knows he has hurt and damaged his family and his loved ones around him … he is truly sorry that he has committed these offences.”

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