ITV’s Noel Edmonds’ Kiwi Adventure follows the former Deal Or No Deal star and his wife Liz as they embark on their new life in New Zealand
Noel Edmonds has made a return to British TV as he shines a light on his new life halfway across the world, leaving many viewers gobsmacked.
The ITV prime-time series, Noel Edmonds’ Kiwi Adventure, follows the fortunes of the former radio and Saturday night telly legend after he turned his back on it all in 2018 and travelled to New Zealand to build a brand-new life with his wife Liz.
Two years ago, they bought land around Ngatimoti, a small rural town and built a hospitality business in the heart of the community, including a vineyard, coffee cart, general store and restaurant and pub. Now he wants to build New Zealand’s first energy garden.
And it’s not all about the business, viewers also saw how he takes care of himself and stays looking so youthful at 76, including ‘tranquil power’ weight-lifting, cold showers, infra red saunas, meditation – and using oxygen chambers. He’s also a fan of beds of crystals.
“I’m rocking. I am rocking!” he exclaimed after talking through his various routines.
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Minutes into the programme’s launch on Friday, June 20, fans were all rushing to social media to question two things – his age and whether or not the show was a mockumentary.
One said: “This is a mockumentary isn’t it ?#noeledmonds.” A second said: “Noel Edmonds is a real life Alan Partridge. Even when he’s meant to be himself he’s still like he’s at Crinkly Bottom.”
A third said: “I imagine this Noel Edmonds programme will be fascinating – for all the wrong reasons!” And: “Someone tell Noel Edmonds the 1970s are on the phone & want him back, constant innuendo is bloody woeful.”
A fifth added: “This has got to be a windup from Noel Edmonds i nearly bought it until i saw the crystals sunbed.”
On the subject of his age, one said: “He does seem to have de-aged but all of that is a bit extreme.” And another commented: “How is Noel Edmond’s 76 – he looks 46 !!” Also: “Noel Edmonds doesn’t look his age..”
But others were clearly chuffed to see Noel back on the box with one saying: “Just binged on the 3 episodes of Noel Edmonds in New Zealand. The guy is a hoot. Great tv. Quite a surprise.”
And: “Don’t care what you say, I love Noel Edmonds!”
Ahead of the launch, Noel was keen to point out that the show isn’t anything like the hit Amazon Prime Video series Clarkson’s Farm which follows the fortunes of another TV host, Jeremy Clarkson, as he runs Diddly Squat farm in Gloucestershire.
Noel told The Sun newspaper: “When we were filming our show, some people who knew about Clarkson’s Farm said to me, ‘Oh, is it like Clarkson’s Farm?’
“And I said, ‘No, it couldn’t be more different.’ First of all, I’m not like Jeremy in many ways, though I wish I were.
“He’s brilliant. He can articulate an argument beautifully and deliver a sharp, humorous line like no one else.”
Noel has experience of farming after working in agriculture in Devon since the 1980s and praised Jeremy for showing the tough realities of the profession.
Explaining the “three things in particular” he admires about Clarkson’s Farm, Noel said: “First, the production values – the way it’s made, the narrative structure – it’s exceptional. Not contrived, but very well-constructed.
“Second, he’s highlighted how mad our relationship is with public servants. Jeremy trying to get permission for a restaurant, a shop, a car park… dealing with council staff who don’t seem to understand they are public servants.
“They are meant to serve the public. He’s shown how difficult they make things. Third, and most importantly, he’s shown how hard it is to be a farmer.”
Noel Edmonds’ Kiwi Adventure is available on ITV1 on Fridays and ITVX
