Noel Edmonds devastated over horror disease as he makes TV comeback

Noel Edmonds was personally affected by the deadly outbreak of foot and mouth disease back in 2001.

He’s been the face of Channel 4’s Deal Or No Deal, a fixture on Top Of The Pops and one of the most recognisable names in British television. Now, at the age of 76, Noel Edmonds is embarking on a new adventure – and he’s filmed it all for ITV.

The presenter first settled in Auckland, New Zealand’s busiest city, but it wasn’t quite the serene escape he had hoped for. Craving stillness, he and his wife Liz eventually bought land in Ngatimoti, at the top of South Island. “The Tasman region is stunning,” Noel says. “Nelson is our nearest city, though it feels more like a large town. We’re very happy here.”

Essex-born Noel’s love of the land stems from childhood and his memories of summers spent in Carlisle with his Aunt Muriel. His enthusiasm later developed into a passion for ethical farming.

“When my career took off and I could afford a nice house, I bought one with 10 acres. I later bought more land, and by the late 70s or early 80s, I’d started farming,” he says.

After the devastation of the 2001 foot and mouth disease outbreak in Devon, which paralysed the farming industry, Noel became an advocate for animal welfare. “It means treating livestock with respect,” Noel says.

"One of the core principles of ethical farming is respect for livestock. My passion and determination partly comes from my experience in Devon in 2001, during the foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak. That year taught me a lot - especially relevant to recent years with flu outbreaks and government responses to major health issues."

In Noel Edmonds’ Kiwi Adventure, Noel lifts the lid on his life down under in New Zealand. Noel and his wife Liz made the move in 2019, and it was as instinctive as it was life-changing.

“Our first holiday was to New Zealand, and it was a fantastic trip,” he remembers. “We stayed in a couple of luxury lodges, but also in B&Bs and farm stays. We began to understand the Kiwi way of life. We returned to the UK thinking this could be our future.”

Things rapidly unfolded. The end of Deal Or No Deal – after an extraordinary 3,000 episodes – marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of another for Noel. Looking back, he says, “It was a punishing schedule but a fabulous period of my life. Without Deal, I wouldn’t have met Liz.”

Noel and Liz have also launched a hospitality business with a vineyard, pub, restaurant and a supermarket. But for his new show, the focus shifts towards something even more ambitious.

The couple want to create New Zealand’s first energy garden – a pioneering project that blends biodiversity, community and sustainability into one regenerative living space.

In the series, Noel will tackle hands-on challenges, meet inspirational locals and try to navigate day-to-day life in some seriously wild weather.

“The weather here has an attitude,” Noel says. “Oh, and earthquakes. We’ve had three.” But he’s made friends for life. “We’ve been lucky. We’ve met some incredible people and they’ve welcomed us. They’re glad we came. We’re grateful to be here.”

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