Edwards was born in Malaya and grew up in Salisbury, Wiltshire. He trained as an actor at Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop, and is best known for his role as Dave 'the barman' Harris, owner of the Winchester Club in 10 series of ITV drama Minder. He has appeared in numerous TV shows such as Public Eye, Spindoe, Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em, Dixon of Dock Green, Man About the House, Softly, Softly and The Saint to name a few. He was also a regular in two series of the ITV legal drama The Main Chance (1972, 1975). His most notable film appearances were in Robbery, Zulu and Get Carter.