TV presenter Noel Edmonds has bought a new home on the Isle of Man.
The former Deal Or No Deal and Noel’s House Party host, 76, plans to divide his time between his property, believed to be in the north of the island, and New Zealand.
He claimed the island’s “massive community spirit” and sense of pride is what attracted him to make the move.
“I came for the very first time three years ago, and when you consider I lived in the UK all my life and I knew where it was geographically, I don’t know why I didn’t come before,” Noel told Manx Radio.
”I have purchased a property on the island, and I intend to spend some of the year here, but my principal home is New Zealand.”
Noel dubbed the island “the Smile of Man” because “everyone seems so happy” and people “look out for each other”.
He added: “What’s drawn me to the Smile of Man… you’re bloody proud of the island, you’re proud of the community, and across the water there [in the UK], you don’t get that anymore.”
It comes after ITV axed his Kiwi Adventure series, which aired in June and followed his life in New Zealand with his fifth wife, Liz.
Noel, who moved there in 2018, had reportedly hoped the three-parter would become a fixture on the channel, but it failed to be a ratings hit.
A TV insider told The Sun earlier this month: “It’s a blow to Noel as he was convinced he was on to a winning idea.
“There was a great buzz around the series and it was well received by both viewers and critics alike.
“But it needed big numbers to spark a follow-up and attracting 1-1.5million per episode just wasn’t enough.”
Sources close to Noel confirmed his disappointment but insisted other major factors were behind the decision — namely, the extreme weather.
A source close to Noel told us: “River Haven has been hit badly by flooding, it’s made working on the estate almost impossible.
“That would have meant filming would have been seriously hampered.”
They added: “As far as Noel is concerned, the show has been put on ice.”
The Sun first revealed Noel was returning to TV last year after signing a £1million deal with the ITV.
Over the past year he's been spotted making the most of his time on the Isle of Man, with visits to the Southern Agricultural Show in Ballasalla, the Milntown Estate in Ramsey, and even taking in the action at the infamous TT Races.
"I love the Isle of Man. I've been here a few times before," Noel said previously.
“This is my first TT – I’ve always wanted to come, and I live in New Zealand so I’ve travelled 11,000 miles to be here.”
Locals who spotted Noel out and about were quick to notice an unusual quirk about the TV star.
He frequently wore mismatched shoes - one light brown lace-up boot and one darker slip-on.
A spokesperson for the star claimed at the time: “He loves doing quirky things just for the fun of it.”
