ITV News presenter claims 'I could have helped Huw Edwards' amid BBC exit following own health battles

ITV newsreader Bradby, 57, has explained he could have helped Edwards after battling his own mental health issues following the death of his parents.

He touched on how he had helped other colleagues as he told Radio Times: "You think about the world differently once you’ve had a breakdown and spent a lot of time talking about the stresses and strains we place on ourselves."

In 2018, the grief Bradby was experiencing led to his battle with insomnia, and he told the publication: "I went from thinking I was OK to being in really significant crisis, very fast.

"If you don’t sleep at all the night before doing News at Ten, you are terrified you’re not going to be able to sleep again. Then you can’t sleep because you know you must sleep, and you go into crisis."

Usually, Edwards would be Bradby's rival on election night as the BBC's main presenter, but he has now left the broadcaster.

Father-of-three Bradby, who has worked for more than three decades at ITV, said he was helped by a psychiatrist when he suffered with his mental health.

"My life changed completely. I carry very little stress around in my life now and sleep soundly every night," he continued.

He went on: "If something doesn’t go well, or people say bad things, I can’t control it. So I don’t worry about it."

Bradby also recalled how other TV journalists had confided in him about needing help after he opened up about his breakdown.

"When you’re in crisis, you don’t know what to do and I suppose people think, he was open about it, and they ask for a chat," he commented.

He expressed his hope for this to continue, adding: "After this is printed no doubt, I’ll get a whole bunch more. I find it great. It’s enhanced my life."

Edwards resigned from his BBC career in April after almost a year off screens, with "medical advice" behind the decision.

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"Huw Edwards has today resigned and left the BBC," a statement read.

"After 40 years of service, Huw has explained that his decision was made on the basis of medical advice from his doctors.

"The BBC has accepted his resignation which it believes will allow all parties to move forward. We don't believe it appropriate to comment further."