Huw Edwards on sewers, bridges and ‘magnificent’ garden ahead of PM’s arrival

The BBC presenter won praise for his ability to fill time as Liz Truss moved towards Downing Street.

The BBC’s Huw Edwards won praise for his on-air padding ahead of Liz Truss’s arrival at Downing Street, talking viewers through London’s geography and sewer developments (PA) (PA Archive)

The BBC’s Huw Edwards won praise for his on-air padding ahead of Liz Truss’s arrival at Downing Street, talking viewers through London’s geography and sewer developments.

Edwards was described by historian Simon Schama as a “ceremonious sat nav” as he narrated an overhead shot of the convoy of cars leading the new Tory leader through the capital.

With rain threatening to derail the new PM’s speech in front of the assembled press, the 61-year-old soldiered on.

“There you can see the rather grey muddy banks of the Thames,” he began.

“Some of the engineering work that’s taking place around the Thames, lots of it to do with this big new sewer…

“The giant kind of sewerage project that’s been put through near the Thames at enormous cost to update the Victorian system put in by (Joseph) Bazalgette more than 100 years ago, which has done amazing work but now needs to be boosted a bit in terms of the capacity in the capital.”

Edwards continued to talk viewers through the landmarks of London as Ms Truss neared her destination at about 5pm on Tuesday.

“Passing under the railway bridge there, that’s the railway bridge that leads up to Victoria Station, just to get our bearings.

“And then this road along the embankment going up towards Vauxhall Bridge, across the river from the headquarters of MI6 and then past the headquarters of MI5, and then up towards the old Lambeth Bridge, so passing quite a few of the old historic and famous bridges across the River Thames.

“Lots of greenery on the banks of the Thames, the river looking rather grey and uninviting today I have to say.”

This is my favourite live stream since the man standing at the airport shouting at the planes landing in the storm. Huw Edwards has just padded for three minutes about the Victorian sewage system

Caitlin Moran

However, Edwards reserved his most enthusiastic commentary for the Archbishop of Canterbury’s garden at Lambeth Palace.

“Can I just see Lambeth Palace there? Yes indeed… the red brick just in the background there, the ancient palace of Lambeth – the home of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

“And then past the high walls and the magnificent garden. There you are, have a look at it just in the background there… it’s one of the most magnificent (gardens) in London, really is.”

Ms Truss arrived at Downing Street to address the nation shortly after, but not before Edwards won himself new fans.

“Very much enjoyed Huw Edward’s correct “Ooh, I wouldn’t have gone that way” tone as Liz truss’s convoy veered south over Lambeth bridge,” tweeted comedian and Mock The Week host Dara O Briain.

Writer Caitlin Moran posted: “This is my favourite live stream since the man standing at the airport shouting at the planes landing in the storm.

“Huw Edwards has just padded for three minutes about the Victorian sewage system.”

One tour guide even joked Edwards was practising for the Knowledge, the test of black cab drivers’ knowledge of the capital’s streets.

However, not everyone was impressed.

Historian Simon Schama tweeted: “Truly bizarre reverential Huw Edwards commentary on Truss’s motoring progress to Downing Street as if it’s some sort of royal procession “going past splendid Lambeth Palace” etc.”

He added: “Huw Edwards reduced to ceremonious Sat Nav”.