BBC presenter Huw Edwards has been named by his wife as the mystery presenter at the heart of a sex scandal.

His wife Vicky Flind issued a statement on his behalf saying her husband was “suffering from serious mental health issues” and is currently “receiving inpatient hospital care, where he’ll stay for the foreseeable future”.

Edwards, 61, one of the BBC’s most high-profile newsreaders intended to respond to the stories once he was well enough his wife said.

The revelation follows days of speculation about the identity of the presenter who The Sun newspaper allege paid a young person £35,000 for explicit photos, starting when the individual was 17.

The news come shortly after the Metropolitan police said there was no evidence that Edwards had committed a criminal offence, and the force would end its inquest.

A BBC spokesperson said: “We have seen the statement from the police confirming they have completed their assessment and are not taking further action. We’re grateful to them for completing this work at speed.

“The police had previously asked us to pause our fact-finding investigations and we will now move forward with that work, ensuring due process and a thorough assessment of the facts, whilst continuing to be mindful of our duty of care to all involved.”