James Edwards ‘kills himself’after BBC criticised wife’s wedding dress shop
On camera: Wedding dress shop owner Carolyn Edwards pictured answering the door in a still from the BBC programme X Ray
The couple’s business La Belle Bridal Wear was featured on a BBC consumer programme the night before he was found dead.
The BBC called at the Edwards’ home to demand answers about a series of complaints from customers.
Mrs Edwards was filmed answering the door in her pink dressing gown but refused to answer the BBC’s questions.
Police confirmed Mrs Edwards later reported her husband missing and the family’s Nissan Navarra 4X4 gone from outside their home in Swansea, South Wales.
The couple’s business La Belle Bridal Wear in the centre of Swansea, South Wales. They then moved to an industrial estate nearby
Mr Edwards was found dead in the car on Brynamman Mountain at 10pm on Tuesday night 24 hours after the BBC’s X-Ray programme was shown.
Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed they were investigating Mr Edwards’ death.
A spokeswoman said: ‘A 57-year-old man was found dead in his car on Brynamman Mountain.
‘HM Coroner and next of kin have been informed and the death is not being treated as suspicious.’
Mrs Edwards was being comforted by relatives today at the family home in Ystradgynlais, Swansea.
A neighbour said: ‘Everyone is very shocked – we all saw the TV programme and obviously it was bad for business.
Upset: Natalie Howes, 30, pictured right, told how her big day was ruined because her £2,000 designer dress began to disintegrate bit-by-bit
Unravelled: X-Ray’s Rachel Treadaway-Williams examines a hole in Natalie’s the gown. The skirt started unravelling before the wedding breakfast
‘Mr Edwards must have been under a great deal of stress even though the bridal wear company is run by his wife and the programme focussed on her.
‘The programme said there was a lot of money involved and customers were wanting refunds.’
La Belle Bridal Wear was based in Swansea city centre before moving to a run-down industrial estate nearby.
The BBC claimed the company charged thousands of pounds for dresses which allegedly fell apart before the brides even got to church.
One newly-wed claimed her gown smelled of damp and another alleged her wedding dress was made up of a sample which had been tried on by other brides-to-be.
Bride Natalie Howes, 30, told how her big day was ruined because her designer dress began to disintegrate bit-by-bit.
She said: ‘Both shoulder straps snapped off before the reception had even started.
Dead: Mr Edwards was found dead in a car on Brynamman Mountain at 10pm on Tuesday night. Pictured Pont Clydach Bridge Black Mountain near Brynamman
‘Then the skirt started unravelling during the wedding breakfast.
‘It was supposed to be the happiest day of my life – but I spent it worrying that the dress was falling apart altogether.’ The BBC yesterday said it was aware of Mr Edwards’ tragic death.
A spokeswoman said: ‘The X-Ray programme featured a legitimate investigation into Carolyn Edwards’ wedding dress business company which had disappointed a large number of brides.
‘The programme was not connected in any way to her husband.’ Trading standards watchdogs from Swansea Council are also investigating the bridal wear company which was established more than 20 years ago.
An inquest has been opened and adjourned pending the results of a police inquiry into Mr Edwards’ death.
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Category: Crazy/ Weird/ Funny
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