For over five decades, Noel Edmonds was a household name in British entertainment, with daytime game shows and Saturday night TV. But in 2018, he walked away from the spotlight and charted a dramatically different course, moving 11,500 miles away to start anew in New Zealand with his wife, Liz.
This journey has been documented in his brand new ITV series, Noel Edmonds' Kiwi Adventure.
When did Noel Edmonds move to New Zealand?
Noel Edmonds left the UK and moved to New Zealand with Liz in 2015, but didn't officially emigrate until 2019.
Their new life began in the peaceful rural town of Ngatimoti, nestled in the heart of the country. Over the past two years, the couple has been busy transforming a piece of land into a thriving community hub. Spending $30m on 12 properties in the area (according to The Guardian), their growing venture includes a vineyard, a mobile coffee cart, a general store and a charming restaurant and pub called The Bugger Inn near Nelson, which is set to reopen for its second season.
Is Noel Edmonds' Kiwi Adventure like Clarkson's Farm?
Fans have compared the show to Clarkson's Farm, which saw former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson and his partner Lisa Hogan move to the Cotswolds to buy a 1,000-acre farm, which he called Diddly Squat Farm in Chipping Norton. Currently in its fourth series, the programme shows Jeremy and Lisa also looking for a pub that they can buy and open a farm shop next to.
But Noel, 76, says that his show "couldn't be more different" from the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? presenters' reality-documentary show. In an interview with The Sun, he said "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.
He added: "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."
But Edmonds isn’t stopping with a pub. His latest ambition is to launch New Zealand’s first-ever energy garden - a unique sustainability project aimed at blending environmental innovation with community engagement. Yet, turning big dreams into reality hasn’t been without its trials.
Noel Edmonds' Kiwi Adventure trailer
As they adapt to life in a new country, the trailer for Noel Edmonds' Kiwi Adventure shows the Edmonds facing a series of challenges: unpredictable weather, and being business owners.
"New Zealand's a great place to come to; it's not the easiest place to set up a business.", the 76-year-old presenter says. "We're haemorrhaging money at the moment".
After scenes of building work taking place and boulders being ripped up, the first-look cuts to Noel dressed as Gandalf in what looks like a vineyard, while Mr Blobby appears. "You travel half way round the world and he turns up" Noel laughs.
The finishing statement is: "What me Liz and wish to achieve is community, and people are happy - that's the main thing".
When can I watch Noel Edmonds' Kiwi Adventure?
While Noel Edmonds' Kiwi Adventure has no release date yet, ITV has said that it's 'coming soon', so there's not long to wait. We'll keep you updated with the official Spring date once we know more.
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who is passionate about TV, film and theatre. She enjoys cooking, scrapbooking, playing board games and loves going on walks with her three dogs.