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The Irish Sun

Eerie demise of Noel Edmonds' 90s theme park left to decay with graffiti-covered rides after opening for only 13 weeks

NOEL Edmonds jetted to New Zealand to invest £15million in property and start a new life down under. Fans are hoping that his new business ventures are more successful than his Blobbyland theme park, which closed after just 13 weeks. 8 Blobbyland was more popular than Buckingham Palace in the year that it opened Credit: SWNS The park in Cricket St Thomas, in Somerset, was based on the BBC's hit show Noel's House Party, and first opened in 1994. Blobbyland welcomed 650,000 guests, making it even more popular than Inside was a mocked-up high street with a Blobby store, but the crown jewel of the resort was Mr Blobby's house. It was named Dunblobbin and was painted bright pink with yellow spots and had a blue roof. read more on noel edmonds Locals often complained of a loud doorbell that could be heard for miles - which rang through their houses every time someone visited the little pink home. But the noise didn't bother guests as young fans went mad for its quirky look, which included a giant stuffed Blobby dog kipping on the ground. When visitors roamed in they were met with a view of a cake-only dinner that the fictional character and his family ate for tea. The entertainment show ran for eight years between November 1991 and March 1999, and Mr Blobby became a kids' craze. Most read in The Sun Although the bustling fantasy-fueled land attracted thousands of fans, it didn't last long. According to Noel Edmonds' most bizarre moments - from 'dead parent' orbs and 'electro smog' to Candice the mannequin and bid to buy the BBC As a result, the land's owners blocked an access tunnel and had the remains demolished in 2014. Noel, 76, returning to TV screens to document his new life in New Zealand in June - but insisted the ITV show will be nothing like Clarkson's Farm — because he's not as funny as the former Top Gear star. Noel exclusively told The Sun: '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 went on to crack a joke about his years in the showbiz wilderness. His last big gig was on I'm A Celebrity in 2018, when he was Noel laughed: 'People still ask, 'Noel Edmonds? Didn't he die? Is he still around?' 'Yes, I'm still here — and living life to the full.' You can stream all the episodes of Noel Edmonds' Kiwi Adventure on ITVX. 8 The theme park in Somerset was left to ruin Credit: Billy Griffiths 8 The crown jewel of the attraction was Mr Blobby's house Credit: Billy Griffiths 8 It was demolished by new land owners Credit: Billy Griffiths 8 Mr Blobby was a huge kids' craze in the 90s Credit: Billy Griffiths 8 The house was named Dunblobbin and was painted bright pink with yellow spots Credit: Billy Griffiths 8 Noel presented Noel's House Party, where he was joined by the pink and yellow character Credit: SWNS 8 Noel is starring in his new travel series about his life in New Zealand Credit: PA