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Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Noel Edmonds, 76, opens up on TV return with series about his life in New Zealand – & how it compares to Clarkson's Farm
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A LARGER than life showbiz veteran documenting his new life on a farm is a hit TV formula for Jeremy Clarkson. Now there is another famous face who is also getting in on the action, Noel Edmonds. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 7 Noel Edmonds will be back on TV screens documenting his life in New Zealand - but don't expect it to be like Clarkson's Farm Credit: PA 7 Noel's Kiwi adventure includes running a pub – The Bugger Inn near Nelson, just like Clarkson back in the UK Credit: ITV 7 Noel's House Party inspired Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway – and made Mr Blobby a TV icon Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd However the quirky host insists his new ITV1 show is 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, 76, is perhaps doing himself a disservice, as he 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 voted out after only nine days. 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.' Noel Edmonds reunites with 90s sidekick Mr Blobby on Good Morning Britain Noel now lives in New Zealand where he and wife Liz have been based since 2016 after he quit the UK. 'Punishing schedule' For the first time he will be putting his new life in the spotlight in the ITV1 show, Noel's Kiwi Adventure. Unlike Jeremy, the former Deal Or No Deal host is no newcomer to farming. He's been working in agriculture since the Eighties in Devon, when he was one of the UK's biggest stars. Noel said: 'Over the years I've known Jeremy. 'If you watch a video called Noel's Le Mans Dream, you'll see Jeremy was part of my boys' team, alongside Nick Mason, Gary Rhodes, and others. 'I entered a two-car team in the Le Mans 24-hour race. 'I thoroughly enjoyed that weekend. 'I don't think I saw Jeremy eat any solids. 'He was a regular in the hospitality tents, a great character.' He continues: 'Clarkson's Farm came along, and I think it's brilliant. 'There are three things in particular I admire. '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. 'I've been farming since the early Eighties and it's always been tough. "In Devon, the paperwork alone was staggering. 'Constant rules. Constant restrictions. All about control.' Liz and I allowed the cameras into our lives. The filming followed what we did in September, October, November of 2024, right up to Christmas. Noel on his new TV show Noel's series will involve a lot less red tape. But, just like Jeremy, he's also acquired a pub — The Bugger Inn in River Haven, near Nelson on the South Island. Noel explains: 'The key difference between our Kiwi Adventure, and Clarkson's Farm is that ours is more of a lifestyle narrative. 'Liz and I allowed the cameras into our lives. 'The filming followed what we did in September, October, November of 2024, right up to Christmas. "It documented our lifestyle - two people deciding to leave the UK and start over in New Zealand. 'And yes, everyone says it: 'Oh, New Zealand, that's a long way away.' And we just say, 'Exactly, that's why we're here.' 'In 2016 we decided to explore our options to move away from the UK and our first holiday was to New Zealand. 'We got a real feel for New Zealand and began to understand the Kiwi way of life. 7 Noel on his new Kiwi Adventure show Credit: PA 7 Making his name as a DJ on Radio 1 in the early Seventies, Noel went on to host kids show Multi-Coloured Swap Shop, with the late Keith Chegwin 'At the same time, Deal Or No Deal was coming to an end — 3,000 shows over ten years. 'It was a punishing schedule. 'This show tells the story of the challenges we've faced, the joys we've discovered, and all the fun we've had. 'I really hope the fun element of our Kiwi Adventure comes through, and maybe it will make people curious about New Zealand.' The series also shows them enjoy some of the country's hot spots, including a helicopter flight above the South Island's glacier and some fun on a boat in the balmy north. But it is not all fun and games and the series will show the brutal side of farming. He said: 'We have a fair amount of land here and we practise what I call ethical farming. 'Some call it regenerative farming, that's the buzzword. 'For me, ethical farming means treating livestock with respect. 'We know why we're farming them and what the final outcome is. 'I don't like that part. "I really don't. 'I'm a hypocrite. 'I'm a coward. 'I don't want to be involved in that final journey. 'But we try to give them the finest feed, structured water, and as much dignity as possible.' Making his name as a DJ on Radio 1 in the early Seventies, he went on to host kids show Multi-Coloured Swap Shop, Top Of The Pops, cult quiz show Telly Addicts and Noel's House Party which inspired Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, and turned the lesser celebrated Mr Blobby into a TV juggernaut. 'Hippies in yurts' Later he presented Channel 4 gameshow Deal Or No Deal from 2005 to 2016 — which was recommissioned in 2023 with Stephen Mulhern taking over as host. It was thanks to Deal Or No Deal that Noel met Liz, his wife of 17 years, as she worked as a make-up artist on the show. Aside from his I'm A Celebrity appearance, for which he bagged a £600,000 fee, British audiences have barely seen father-of-four Noel over the past decade. It's so beautiful here that I'll walk my land and just stop for an hour, admiring the view and not get any work done. The landscape is sensational. Noel on his New Zealand home Noel and Liz, his third wife, were initially based in Auckland but Noel decided the city was too busy so they moved to the remote Tasman region instead. He laughed: 'It was so busy it began to feel like the UK or Europe. 'I even called it Euro Zealand. 'It's so beautiful here that I'll walk my land and just stop for an hour, admiring the view and not get any work done. 'The landscape is sensational.' However, it's not all peace and tranquillity, and that's mainly down to the extreme weather they experience. He added: 'The weather here has attitude. 'I lived in Devon for 20 years and there you'd get grey days with drizzle drifting in from the Atlantic. But here? 'When it blows, it really blows — trees come down. 'When it rains, it's tropical stair-rodding rain. 'You get landslips. And the sun? 'It'll burn you within ten minutes in peak season. 'Oh, and earthquakes. 'We've had three. 'During the first one, we were sitting outside with a glass of wine, and I noticed the surface of the wine rippling. 'That was a mild one. 'The biggest one really shook the house — the cutlery drawer rattled, and Liz and I each grabbed a dog and ran outside. "No structural damage, thankfully. 'But yes, earthquakes - and a dormant volcano just up the way. 'At least, we hope it's dormant.' Another big factor as to why Noel has settled so well in New Zealand is the people. He said: 'They love a good time, a good laugh and they don't take themselves, or their politicians, too seriously. 'I love that. 'Especially here, in this area, which became a kind of haven for the hippies in the Sixties and Seventies. 'There are still people living in yurts up the valley, and good on them. 'What we found was overwhelming kindness. 'We were living in Matakana during the flu outbreak and, suddenly, our mailbox was full of avocados, chocolates, home-cooked things - little gifts from locals who wanted to look after 'the two Brits up the way'. 'It was heartwarming. 'If a Kiwi invites you to their home, you always say: 'Thanks, what can I bring?' In the UK, you might show up with a bottle or a bunch of flowers from the petrol station. 'Here, it's expected that you contribute.' But if anyone knows how to throw a good house party, it's Noel. Noel Edmonds' Kiwi Adventure airs later this month on ITV1 and ITVX. 7 Noel has nothing but praise for Jeremy Clarkson's TV work Credit: Adrian Sherratt 7 Noel and his wife Liz have been based in New Zealand since 2016 after he quit the UK Credit: PA Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
The Irish Sun
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
My son Martyn was murdered in Manchester bombing… eight years on we'll celebrate as new law means he didn't die in vain
A YEAR ago today, Figen Murray hobbled in agony along Downing Street, having marched 200 miles to demand tougher terror laws in memory of her murdered son. The grieving mum, 64 — whose lad Advertisement 7 Martyn Hett was among 22 killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing Credit: PA 7 Now, on the eighth anniversary of the May 22 Manchester attack, Martyn's mum Figen Murray has the strength to smile over her triumphant campaign for change Credit: Andy Kelvin / Kelvinmedia At a key summit, the Labour chief vowed new legislation to combat atrocities like the one committed by Islamist terrorist And he delivered on his promise, with Now, on the eighth anniversary of the May 22 Manchester attack, Figen has the strength to smile over her triumphant campaign for change. The new legislation is officially called the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill and will require all venues with a capacity of more than 200 to have a plan in place in the event of an attack. Advertisement READ MORE ON TERRORISM Figen — who was supported on her crusade by She says: 'Martyn loved being with his friends and having a party. 'He died while doing that eight years ago. 'This Saturday, we will all gather and have a party for Martyn at our house, next to a tree we have planted for him — we'll have drinks, talk about him and rejoice in the fact that Martyn did not die in vain. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Latest 'I feel really guilty' 'This victory will save lives, I'm sure of it. 'This law will make everyone safer, whether at a large festival or a small recital.' Paul Hett, father of Martyn Hett, 29, who died in the Manchester Arena bombing says victims were 'failed on every level' She adds: 'People will not know their lives have been saved. 'Martyn's Law will be a silent saviour.' Advertisement My self-care now is another way of honouring Martyn. I knew I couldn't address my grief until his law was passed Figen In an inspiring exclusive interview with The Sun, Figen reveals how she has now started having therapy, after putting her grief 'on hold' to campaign for new laws. She says: 'My self-care now is another way of honouring Martyn. 'I knew I couldn't address my grief until his law was passed.' Martyn's Law will see some of the country's biggest venues use pioneering 'mass screening technology' to scan crowds and identify potential threats who will be fully searched. Advertisement Figen — who says big London sports stadia, as well as Manchester venues Bridgewater Hall and the Warehouse Project, are trialling the new system — adds: 'Mass screening technology is revolutionary for anti-terror security. 'Cameras trained on customers attending a venue can screen 1,000 to 2,000 people in one hour. 'It is a piece of equipment on either side of the entrance. 'You walk over a part that has a sensor underneath, and anybody with something suspicious lights up on a computer screen being looked at by a member of security. Advertisement 'They then alert staff to search that person. 'They may have identified an umbrella, but it could equally have been a knife. 'I think this technology is brilliant. 'I think it will be widely available at all big venues in the years to come and will change everything.' Advertisement Coronation Street superfan Martyn, 29, was on his farewell night out in the UK before he went travelling in America when tragedy struck. Evil Abedi, 22, detonated a bomb made of explosives, nuts and bolts that killed 22 Ariana Grande concert-goers, including Martyn, and maimed 1,000. Brave Figen made it her life's goal to change venues' anti-terror laws in the wake of the horror. Last month, after a gruelling six-and-a-half-year wait, the legislation was read out in the House of Commons before being rubber-stamped in the House of Lords. Advertisement Martyn's Law will enforce anti-terror training for staff and tighter event security at venues, which includes more vigorous bag checks and body searches. 7 Islamist terrorist Salman Abedi at Victoria Station making his way to the Manchester Arena, on May 22, 2017, where he detonated his bomb Credit: PA 7 Figen and her husband Stuart, right, held talks with Keir Starmer last year Credit: Getty Premises that can accommodate more than 800 people will have to put in place measures such as CCTV or hire more security staff. Advertisement Public premises where 200 to 799 people may gather — including nightclubs, churches and concert halls — must have plans to keep guests safe in the event of a terror attack happening at or near their location. Venues now have two years to get up to speed with the changes, which Figen insists will 'save lives'. I knew I had to do something to make sure other young people didn't suffer the same fate as my Martyn. After his death I went to one venue and was shocked at the lack of security. I thought: 'I need to do something – this isn't right Figen The determined mum retrained and achieved a degree in counterterrorism at the University of Central Lancashire before embarking on trips around the world to speak to others affected by terror attacks. She says: 'I knew I had to do something to make sure other young people didn't suffer the same fate as my Martyn. Advertisement 'In the years after Martyn's death, I remember going to one venue in Manchester and being shocked about the lack of security there. 'I came away thinking, 'I need to do something, this isn't right'. 'In 2019, I started campaigning for Martyn's Law. 'I only intended it to be a six-month campaign.' Advertisement The battle — aided by Survivors Against Terror founder Brendan Cox and former Met Police detective chief superintendent Nick Aldworth — took its toll on Figen mentally and physically, particularly her trek from Manchester Arena to Downing Street. She says: 'It was that walk that changed everything. 'It showed we meant business and that we were not going away. I sleep a lot better. However, I still struggle going to sleep before 11pm, because I just feel really, really guilty and ashamed that I was fast asleep and he was on the floor dying slowly, and I wasn't there to help him as a mum Figen 'I was promised that the law would be passed by Mr Starmer, and he kept his promise. Advertisement 'However, I was in agony after that walk. 'I needed a hip replacement because of it.' Figen revealed that she has started sleeping better now as she is no longer troubled by concerns about whether Martyn's Law will be passed. But she still finds it hard to nod off before 11pm — which was roughly the time Martyn died — due to her lingering 'guilt'. Advertisement She says: 'I sleep a lot better. 'However, I still struggle going to sleep before 11pm, because I just feel really, really guilty and ashamed that I was fast asleep and he was on the floor dying slowly, and I wasn't there to help him as a mum. 'I'm not sure that will ever change.' Figen has also started seeing a grief specialist, which she had avoided so she could channel all her energy into Martyn's Law. Advertisement 'Raise a glass' She says: 'My self-care has to start now. 'I feel the counselling is also in memory of Martyn. 'I feel, after our victory, it's time to now slow down, grieve and help myself come to terms with what happened.' In the last couple of years, Figen has visited venues across the country to see how they intended to implement her son's law. Advertisement She says: 'I get emails and messages from people saying, 'Oh, I am a teacher at a small school and we're talking about Martyn's Law in our staff meeting now'. 7 Figen at Downing Street last year after her 200-mile trek 7 Mourners united in grief for victims Credit: Rex 'Or people will say, 'We've just been to our small local venue, and they were talking about implementing Martyn's Law.' That's amazing. Advertisement 'Bigger venues have got their act in order. 'It's not rocket science, is it? 'Get your CCTV sorted in big venues, and get your access control improved and more secure, and train yourself and your staff.' Figen said she was impressed by security at Manchester's new super-arena, the Co-Op Live. Advertisement She also revealed the venue she had major concerns over — that inspired her crusade but which she is not naming — has 'cleared up its act'. Everybody felt their city was attacked. They have responded to Martyn's Law incredibly Figen Now, Figen wants the whole of the UK to follow Manchester's lead in already implementing steps to tighten security. She says: 'I think, when the attack happened, the Mancunians felt it as a personal attack on them. 'Everybody felt their city was attacked. Advertisement 'They have responded to Martyn's Law incredibly. 'I urge venues to not wait for the whole two-year implementation period. 'Terrorists could strike at any time. 'Our terrorism threat level is substantial, which means an attack is highly likely — so let's not forget that. Advertisement 'And the general public obviously don't understand. 'They're not bothered about threat levels, because it's not on their mind. 'It wasn't on mine before Martyn died.' She adds: 'My message is, 'Don't let terrorists pick your venue to attack because you haven't done what is needed'.' Advertisement Figen said the pain of losing Martyn has never lessened. She reveals: 'I remember it as if it was last night. 'It was like slow motion. 'It doesn't feel like eight years ago, and the pain has not eased off. Advertisement 'I've just not had time to indulge it or feel the emotions, because I didn't allow myself to until we had Martyn's Law. But I am now. 'There's a Martin-shaped hole in my heart now — deep, deep in my soul. 'It's like the abyss of grief. 'It never goes away.' Advertisement Last weekend, Figen and her family gathered to watch the But today's anniversary will be spent reflecting quietly at home. Then, on Saturday, friends and loved ones will gather in Figen's garden for a party in Martyn's honour. The proud mum said: 'I'll do a buffet, we'll sit next to the tree that we planted in his memory and we'll raise a glass to Martyn. Advertisement 'And we'll say, 'This is the year we achieved something big in your name'.' 7 Emergency services on the scene at the Manchester Arena in 2017 Credit: PA:Press Association
The Irish Sun
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Big Brother and Ex On The Beach favourite marries her fiance in stunning ceremony and shows off amazing wedding dress
A BIG Brother favourite has revealed she has married her fiance in a stunning ceremony. Reality star 7 Big Brother and Ex On The Beach favourite Chanelle McLeary revealed she has got married Credit: Instagram / @missmcclearyx 7 The reality star looked smitten after she'd said 'I do' Credit: Instagram / @missmcclearyx 7 The newlyweds enjoyed their first dance Credit: Instagram / @missmcclearyx 7 Chanelle showed off her stunning wedding gown Credit: Instagram / @missmcclearyx 7 The happy couple got engaged last year Credit: Instagram / @missmcclearyx The TV star was marrying her fiance James, who she tends to keep out of the spotlight. Taking to Instagram, Chanelle shared a sweet video of herself and her new husband on their wedding day. The clip showed both bride and groom getting ready for their big day. Read more on Chanelle It then moved to them getting married, and then onto their wedding reception, before showing them having their first dance. The blushing bride wrote next to the adorable video: "I wasn't going to share this as it's so intimate but it's too beautiful not to/ "10.05.25 the day I married my best friend, I don't know how I got so lucky, he's the best thing to have ever happened to me, he's fixed my broken pieces and loves me in ways I didn't know existed. "I'm so excited to start this life with you J." Most read in Showbiz The happy couple revealed they had got engaged in 2024, after first getting together three years before. REALITY TV PRO Prior to Big Brother, she appeared on Ex on the Beach, but was kicked off for starting a fight with another contestant. Chanelle McCleary belts out dance track You've Got the Love on Big Brother return She was on the show after dating Love Island star Joshua Ritchie. Earlier brushes with reality TV stardom were an appearance on ITV's dating game show Take Me Out, and Dinner Date. She also tried her hand at the ultimate blind date and went on Dating in the Dark. Chanelle was favourite to win Big Brother 2017, but 7 Chanelle is best known for starring in Big Brother Credit: PA 7 The TV star also appeared on Ex On The Beach after dating Josh Ritchie Credit: MTV
