Where Noel Edmonds is now and why he decided to quit Deal or No Deal

20 November 2023 , 14:00

508 0

Presenter Noel Edmonds is best known for hosting Deal or No Deal, but he won't be making a return for the reboot.

The TV star, 74, was at the helm of the Channel 4 show for 11 years. He was the host right from the start in 2005, up until the game show was axed in 2016. Deal or No Deal is now making a huge comeback on ITV with "a brand-new setting with brand-new prize boxes and a new batch of contestants" and Catchphrase's Stephen Mulhern will take over as host.

Essex-born Noel has had a huge TV career, having fronted everything from Top of the Pops and the National Lottery through to Top Gear, Telly Addicts and Noel's House Party. In 2018 he made what was billed as a triumphant return to TV as one of the major stars in I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here, but ended up being the first contestant to be voted off. Noel has since stepped back from the spotlight so we take a look at where he is now and why Deal or No Deal came to an end...

Where Noel Edmonds is now and why he decided to quit Deal or No Deal eiqrdiqutiqdhinv

Noel Edmonds was the original Deal Or No Deal host (Channel 4)

Where is Noel now?

The presenter has always maintained that his prostate cancer was caused by the stress of the collapse of his production company, Unique Group, after he fell victim to a group of corrupt HBOS financiers. The actions of the callous fraudsters plunged Noel into a deep depression that saw him try to take his own life.

The financiers were jailed in 2017 for their £245million loans scam which saw profits spent on sex parties and luxury holidays. Noel decided to relocate to New Zealand with his third wife, Liz Davies, who he met while she was working as a make-up artist on Deal or No Deal.

Escape to the Chateau's Dick and Angel give exciting news as fans beg for return

Noel has made a new life for himself in New Zealand

Despite being officially retired, in 2020 he raised eyebrows by revealing he set up a radio station for house plants. His 'positivity' radio network features a dedication station with music for plants, another with 'healing frequencies' and a third with soothing songs for cats and dogs. He admitted: “Kiwis can rest easy. I'm not going to inflict myself upon this proud nation. I'm not bringing Mr Blobby over. I'm here to behave.”

In September of this year the TV legend was spotted back in the UK as he visited a Somerset café where he got stuck in and got behind the counter to serve customers. It was thought that Noel was back in the UK due to his daughter Alice having a baby. Noel has four daughters from his previous marriage to Helen Soby from July 1986 to 2005. He was first married to Gillian Slater in 1971 and is now married to Liz after tying the knot in July 2009.

While he admitted he wouldn't be able to take a regular gig at the Somerset café, since moving to New Zealand he has purchased a number of rural properties near Nelson including the Dunbar Estate at Ngatimoti on the banks of the Motueka River which includes a cafe.

The £15million worth of property also features a pub which he has called The B*gger Inn – which serves a selection of 'lewd' sounding drinks. The small contained village is home to just 2,500 people who appreciate the quiet village for its scenery, but Noel has been accused of 'taking over'.

The TV star is married to Liz Davies (REX/Shutterstock)

Deal Or No Deal came to an end in 2016 (Channel 4)

Why did he quit Deal Or No Deal?

The hit show came to an end in 2016 after it was axed by Channel 4. Bosses decided to let the show go out on a high as a TV insider told the Mirror at the time: “Deal Or No Dealdoesn’t get the ratings it used to and it is not a cheap daytime show to make. Noel and ‘Deal’ had a great run but bosses have just decided it is the right time to end the series. The farewell tour will be a great way for fans to say goodbye to the show.”

The 'Farewell Tour’ took place when a dozen episodes were filmed around the UK at different locations. Over 2,900 episodes of the quiz had been screened by Channel 4. Channel 4’s Chief Creative Officer, Jay Hunt said: “I remember watching Deal or No Deal launch and watching it grow to become a hit that captivated audiences for over a decade.

"A lot of the credit for that must go to Noel and his exceptional presenting. As the studio shows ends, I’m delighted he’ll now be taking Deal or No Deal to the audience.” Noel went on to front gameshow Cheap Cheap Cheap and Noel Edmonds’ Sell or Swap for the channel.

Sources close to Noel insisted he was not upset by the new deal and celebrated the new contract which reportedly netted him £10million. The friend said: “Noel is very comfortable with what is happening with Deal or No Deal. He knew the studio version was coming to an end and has been saying it for more than a year now.

“What he has managed to do is agree to front four new shows and they will make him the best paid daytime presenter out there in TV. There are things in his contract linked to ratings and advertising but he could earn anything up to £10million in the next few years from this deal. It’s not a day for him to feel sad.”

Speaking a year before Deal or No Deal was axed, Noel said: “I have no idea about the future of Deal or No Deal. I get asked this all the time and what I can say is we finished recording the last one at the end of the first week of May and they have enough Deal or No Deal to go through to the end of next year. I do not know if it will be recorded again, if it’s over I have had a sensational 10 years.”