The high-profile journalist – who fronted coverage of major events, including Queen Elizabeth II’s death – has not appeared on air since last July after it was alleged that he’d paid a young person for sexually explicit images.

“Huw Edwards has today resigned and left the BBC,” the BBC said in a statement on Monday.

“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.”

The scandal rocked the BBC last year, as father-of-five Edwards was its highest-paid star, on a reported salary of around $842,000.

Speculation was rife but the identity of the newsreader involved remained unknown until Edwards’ wife, Vicky Flind, released a statement on his behalf.

“Huw is suffering from serious mental health issues. As is well documented, he has been treated for severe depression in recent years,” Flind said.

“The events of the last few days have greatly worsened matters, he has suffered another serious episode and is now receiving inpatient 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.”

Ms Flind asked for privacy for both the couple’s family and “for everyone else caught up in these upsetting events”.

“I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation. We hope this statement will bring that to an end.”

It was later reported that South Wales Police and the Metropolitan Police found no evidence of criminal conduct.